BOSTON – When Charlie McAvoy first entered the Boston Bruins’ locker room at Warrior Ice Arena in 2017, he encountered the towering presence of team captain Zdeno Chara. The 6-foot-9 defenseman immediately left an impression on the rookie.
“I was really wide-eyed, what I remember, when I first met him,” McAvoy recalled. After being called up from Providence, McAvoy found himself alongside Chara during a practice before heading to Ottawa. Initially, he called him “Mr. Chara,” but Chara quickly expressed a desire for a more casual approach. “Don’t do that. Call me Zee,” he said, showcasing his larger-than-life personality.
For three seasons, McAvoy and Chara formed a defensive duo that provided invaluable insights into navigating the NHL, teaching McAvoy about achieving both personal and team goals. On Thursday, McAvoy, now an alternate captain, will take to the stands among loyal Bruins fans as Chara’s No. 33 is retired and raised to the rafters of TD Garden, honoring Chara’s remarkable career.
“He really laid the foundation for everything for me as a hockey player,” expressed McAvoy, underscoring Chara’s lasting impact on his development.
David Pastrnak, who spent six seasons alongside Chara, echoed these sentiments. “He’s been a part of my growth in my career; I have a lot to thank him for,” Pastrnak shared. “There was no other way than to follow him. He showed up, and you followed him with no excuse because that’s the way he approached every single day, and still does until this day, even after retirement.”
During his 14 seasons in Boston from 2006 to 2020, Chara captained the team through its triumphant journey to the 2011 Stanley Cup and played in 1,023 games, amassing 481 points (148 goals, 333 assists). However, his legacy goes beyond statistics; Chara exemplified what it means to be a Bruin both on and off the ice—principles that resonate with McAvoy and Pastrnak as they currently lead the team.
“I just learned so much from him. So much. He really helped me grow as a pro and to find the game, the consistency, and what I wanted to become as a professional. I credit so much of that to Zee, I really do,” McAvoy concluded, reflecting the gratitude that many within the Bruins organization feel towards their former captain.