Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara hosted a farewell game known as "Zee's Final Shift" in his native Slovakia, with several of his former teammates and fellow former Slovakian NHL players taking part.
The event, which was held at the Pavol Demitra Ice Arena, was made all the more special when, following the game, he unlaced his skates on the ice and walked off hand in hand with his two sons.
Naturally, it was an emotional experience for Chara, who skated at the rink as a child himself.
"I was skating here as a young boy and now they are those young boys," Chara said. "Time has passed so quickly. I will never forget this moment and I believe they will have some nice memories as well."
On hand for the event were several of Chara's former Bruins teammates, including David Pastrnak , Patrice Bergeron , Tim Thomas , and Mark Recchi.
Additionally, fellow former Slovakian NHL players like Marian Hossa , Peter Bondra, Miroslav Satan, Marian Gaborik , Jozef Stumpel, Michal Handzus and Jaroslav Halak were also there.
Bergeron, who won the Stanley Cup with Chara as part of Boston's 2011 championship roster, made special note of Chara's attention to his fitness and detail.
"(My first memory of him), ironically, was in the gym," Bergeron recalled. "I don't think it surprises anyone. He was working out, the first time meeting him in person. I was really impressed with how kind he was and also how intense he was and how hard he worked. He was never satisfied. From that day on as a team, things changed because of him."
He continued:
"I was very lucky I was able to share the locker room for 14 years with him," Bergeron said. "Learned a lot from him. I was 21 years old when he came in, so I was still young and needed his guidance and to learn from him. It was nice for me, or a nice bond, over time. He started as a mentor and (our relationship) finished as a great friendship. He was a big influence on my career.
Chara became the 13th player in Bruins history to have his number retired by the franchise, which was done last season in January.
Chara, who captained the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011 along with subsequent appearances in the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019, was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.
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