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Zdeno Chara rejoins Bruins as Hockey Operations Advisor and Mentor
“Having played alongside Zdeno, I know firsthand the leadership, work ethic and professionalism he brings every day."
Zdeno Chara is back with the Boston Bruins — albeit in a different role this time around.
Boston announced Thursday that the former Bruins captain and soon-to-be Hockey Hall of Famer will serve as Hockey Operations Advisor and Mentor for the Original Six franchise.
“In his new role, Chara will work closely with both players and staff to advise the organization in key areas,” the Bruins noted in their team release. “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.
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“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, 48, has been a regular around Warrior Ice Arena over the last few days during Boston’s training camp — with Don Sweeney noting last week that the 6-foot-9 blueliner has already been a valuable resource for a team in transition.
“Zdeno built himself into one of the best players to ever play in the National Hockey League, and his personality and his commitment to everything he does, it just speaks for itself,” Sweeney said of Chara. “And for him to be coming back to join us and to impart the leadership in a mentorship role, advisory role, I think is really exciting for the organization.”
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Beyond his presence on the ice as one of the most imposing defensemen in league history, the 2011 Stanley Cup champion helped cultivate a team-wide culture that he first established upon getting named captain in 2006.
Chara will look to help Boston’s next wave of leadership in David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy grow into their elevated roles moving forward — while also aiding in the development of a prospect pipeline that has made strides following March’s trade-deadline teardown.
“Having played alongside Zdeno, I know firsthand the leadership, work ethic and professionalism he brings every day,” Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said in a release. “We’re thrilled to have him back with the Bruins in this role, where his knowledge of the game will be a great resource for our players and staff.”
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