Forever a Bruin: Chara’s No. 33 Rises to the TD Garden Rafters
Chara Zdeno during a game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on February 13, 2009. Photo credits Amanda/Flickr.
Sunday night at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins gave one of the most iconic figures in franchise history the ultimate honor: raising Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 jersey into the rafters before their game against the Seattle Kraken. The ceremony was a celebration of leadership, excellence, and a legacy that reshaped the Bruins’ identity in the 21st century.
As the banner rose amid cheers, chants of “Thank you, Chara!” echoed throughout the arena, a fitting tribute to a man whose presence on and off the ice became a staple of Bruins hockey.
Zdeno Chara’s journey to this moment began thousands of miles from Boston in Trencin, Slovakia. Drafted in the third round (56th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, Chara’s path was far from immediate stardom. After establishing himself as a physical and reliable defenseman with the Islanders and later the Ottawa Senators, he entered Boston as a free agent on July 1, 2006. This became a move that changed both his career and the direction of the Bruins franchise.
At 6-foot-9, he already stood out physically but what made him legendary was his relentless work ethic, leadership, and ability to elevate those around him. Just a few years after joining Boston, Chara’s impact was undeniable. He was able to accomplish many monumental things as a Bruin such as:
Being named team captain almost immediately and served in that role for nearly his entire 14-season Bruins tenure.
Winning the 2011 Stanley Cup, Boston’s first championship since 1972.
Capturing the 2009 Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
Setting the NHL record for most games played by a defenseman with 1,680.
In 1,023 games with Boston, he recorded 148 goals and 333 assists for a total of 481 points, consistently anchoring a defense that was feared league-wide.
Chara officially retired from the NHL in September 2022 after a storied 24-year career and even signed a one-day contract with the Bruins to retire as a Bruin, which showed the bond between player and city.
While other teams might retire a handful of numbers in their history, the Boston Bruins, one of hockey’s oldest Original Six franchises, reserve this honor for the most transformative figures. With Chara’s banner now in place, the Bruins have retired 13 numbers in franchise history with names including Bobby Orr and Rick Middleton.
Chara’s No. 33 is special not only because of its place in the arena, but also because he became the first European-born player in Bruins history to receive this honor.
The January 15, 2026, ceremony was a celebration of a career that defined an era. Former teammates, Bruins alumni, and coaches gathered alongside current players wearing No. 33 on their helmets in tribute.
Chara, now living in Boston and serving as a hockey operations advisor and mentor, embraced the moment with humility, joy, and gratitude, a fitting coda to a career built on heart.
As the banner now hangs high, Big Zee’s impact on the city, the Bruins, and the NHL will now never be forgotten.
