For about 10 minutes last week Boston Bruins fans and media allowed themselves to believe that 45-year-old defenseman Zdeno Chara might be joining the team again.

But the spotting of Chara at the Bruins practice facility turned out to be a visit to see old friends.

Today, the fun of that brief social media kerfuffle has given way to today's reality that Chara is retiring after a 24-season NHL career. Chara played with five NHL teams, but signed a one-day contract so he could retire as a Bruin.

No NHL defenseman has played more games than Chara who holds the record at 1,680. He was +301 in those contests.

"When I started playing hockey as a young boy, I never imagined I'd be one day sitting at a press conference after playing in the NHL for 25 years," he said. "This all feels surreal."

At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, Chara was also one of the most unique physical specimens the NHL has ever known. He is seven feet on skates, a height we associate more with the NBA than the NHL.

But Chara was a dominant hockey player. He owns a condor-like wingspan that seemed to allow him to cover half of the defensive zone with the sweep of his stick.

He owns a Norris Trophy, a Stanley Cup championship ring, the Mark Messier Leadership award and arguably the hardest shot in NHL history. Chara rocketed a puck 108.8 mph at the 2012 Ottawa All-Star Skills Competition.

Chara has had a Hall of Fame career. There's no arguing that fact.

The intangibles for Chara are off the chart. He is a quality leader, his teammates respected what he had to say. He worked incredibly hard at his conditioning, especially as he grew older. Retired Boston goalie Tuukka Rask once told me that he believes that Chara was a better skater after age 40 than he was in his 30s.

But you can't run away from the aging process. It gets us all, even 6-foot-9 beastly hockey player.

"Biological age of your body, you can't deny it," he said. "But that was not the main reason. … My decision was based on my family. You tell me I cannot do something, I'll make sure I do it. It doesn't matter the age. It's not that. I had my share of battles and all these things. It's time to be home with my family."

And to go along with all of his other talents, Chara has also has the right words for every occasion.

Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment

» After the many offseason changes, there are no coaches left to fire

» North Americans in the KHL Must Decide Whether to Come Home

» Plausible picks, risky projections, crazy predictions for NHL season

» Nephew of ex-NFL running back turning heads in Red Wings' camp

» After the many offseason changes, there are no coaches left to fire