Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is returning to the franchise in a new role, with the goals of developing prospects and improving the relationships between players and coaches. Chara, 48, a native of Slovakia, will serve as the team’s hockey operations advisor and mentor, the Bruins announced. “His primary responsibilities will include building relationships and strengthening communication between players and coaches, attending practices and home games, and providing off-ice development support to defensemen,” the team wrote in a statement. “He will also serve as a resource for the team’s development staff and make periodic visits to connect with prospects at the AHL level.”Chara was drafted by the New York Islanders and spent four years with that team, then another four years with the Ottawa Senators before signing with Boston on July 1, 2006. Chara served as the Bruins’ team captain for his entire 14-year stint with the team, playing in 1,023 games and totaling 148 goals, 333 assists and 481 points. He won the Norris Trophy and helped bring a Stanley Cup to Boston in 2011, the team’s first in nearly 40 years.After Boston, he spent one season with the Washington Capitals and one with the New York Islanders before signing a one-day contract to retire from the NHL as a Bruin. Video below: Chara retiresHe was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.”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.”After his retirement, Chara remained active. In 2024, he ran the Boston Marathon in 3:30:52 and then completed the London Marathon, less than one week later, in 3:11:04. Video below: Chara after the 2024 Boston Marathon

BOSTON —

Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is returning to the franchise in a new role, with the goals of developing prospects and improving the relationships between players and coaches.

Chara, 48, a native of Slovakia, will serve as the team’s hockey operations advisor and mentor, the Bruins announced.

“His primary responsibilities will include building relationships and strengthening communication between players and coaches, attending practices and home games, and providing off-ice development support to defensemen,” the team wrote in a statement. “He will also serve as a resource for the team’s development staff and make periodic visits to connect with prospects at the AHL level.”

Chara was drafted by the New York Islanders and spent four years with that team, then another four years with the Ottawa Senators before signing with Boston on July 1, 2006.

Chara served as the Bruins’ team captain for his entire 14-year stint with the team, playing in 1,023 games and totaling 148 goals, 333 assists and 481 points. He won the Norris Trophy and helped bring a Stanley Cup to Boston in 2011, the team’s first in nearly 40 years.

After Boston, he spent one season with the Washington Capitals and one with the New York Islanders before signing a one-day contract to retire from the NHL as a Bruin.

Video below: Chara retires

He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

“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.”

After his retirement, Chara remained active. In 2024, he ran the Boston Marathon in 3:30:52 and then completed the London Marathon, less than one week later, in 3:11:04.

Video below: Chara after the 2024 Boston Marathon