Zdeno Chara was a larger-than-life presence both on and off the ice with the Boston Bruins.
So much so that the NHL club announced today (Monday) his No.33 will be going up into the rafters on Thursday, January 15th prior to the Bruins game against the Seattle Kraken.
Chara will be just the 13th Bruins player to have his number retired by the organization.
A big surprise for Big Zee.
An inside look at the moment he received the news about No. 33.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/MRooYb9EG3
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 6, 2025
It’s been a year of off-season accolades for the former Prince George Cougars blueliner.
In June, Chara was named to the Class of 2025 for the Hockey Hall of Fame where the Induction Ceremony is set for November 10th.
Also elected to the Class of 2025 are:
- Jack Parker (Builder)
- Daniele Sauvageau (Builder)
- Jennifer Botterill
- Briana Decker
- Duncan Keith
- Alexander Mogilny
- Joe Thornton
Chara joined the Cougars for the 1996-1997 season, posting three goals and adding 19 assists in 49 games. He also put up 120 penalty minutes in those games.
The Slovakian went on to play 1,680 games (most ever by an NHL defenceman) over 24 seasons in the NHL, most notably as the captain of the Boston Bruins for 14 of them.
He led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011 and won the Norris Trophy in the 2008-09 season.
Chara also had stops with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals.
In May, the 48-year-old was inducted into the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame.
Taking its rightful place in the rafters.
On Jan. 15, 2026, Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 will become the 13th number in #NHLBruins history to be retired.
📰: https://t.co/a1vQxhQuZP pic.twitter.com/UoAayMEy0Z
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 6, 2025
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