Zdeno Chara is back with the Bruins.
The former captain and Hall of Fame defenseman was named Boston’s hockey operations advisor and mentor.
“The Bruins organization is excited and proud to welcome back Zdeno,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a statement. “In his role as an advisor and mentor, Zdeno will share with our players and coaches his experience as a dedicated athlete, a respected leader and one of the NHL’s all-time greats.”
In Chara’s new role, he will work with players and staff to “advise the organization in keys areas.” According to the Bruins, other key responsibilities include “building relationships and strengthening communication between players and coaches.” He’ll also attend home games and provide off-ice developmental support to defensemen.
Chara will also make visits to Providence from time to time.
The Bruins signed Chara in 2006 and he helped reset the culture in the locker room and on the ice. He captained the team all 14 seasons he was in Boston.
Chara called it a career after the 2021-22 season and signed a one-day contract with the Bruins to retire as a member of the Original Six franchise. The 6-foot-9 defenseman ranks sixth in franchise history in games played with 1,023, and third in points by a defenseman with 481, behind only fellow Hall of Famers Ray Bourque (1,506) and Bobby Orr (888).
Chara won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025 — his first year of eligibility.