Saying he could “walk away from the game with gratitude, honor, and pride,” Zdeno Chara announced his retirement from the NHL after 24 seasons Tuesday with a press conference at TD Garden.
Many of Chara’s former teammates with the Bruins turned out for the announcement, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie Coyle, Chris Wagner, Charlie McAvoy, Tuukka Rask, Adam McQuaid, Connor Clifton, and Nick Foligno, as well as the members of the coaching, equipment, and training staffs.
The event began with Chara, 45, signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Bruins, after which general manager Don Sweeney and Charlie Jacobs exited the stage and took seats in the front row.