Longtime NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara, 45, retires as Bruin
FILE PHOTO: Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara (33) celebrates after winning the hardest shot at NHL All Star Skills competition in Ottawa, Saturday January 28, 2012. (Fred Chartrand/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Zdeno Chara announced his retirement Tuesday after playing 21 seasons in the NHL and captaining the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011.
The 6-foot-9 defenseman from Slovakia is calling it a career at age 45. He returned to TD Garden in Boston to make that announcement two years after splitting with the Bruins following 14 seasons.
Chara won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2009 and also spent time with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals. Known more for his ability to keep the puck out of the net than putting it in, Chara still scored 237 goals and added 523 assists for 750 points in 1,880 regular-season and playoff games.
His 1,680 regular-season games played is a record for defenseman. He is a candidate for the Hockey Hall of Fame based not only on his consistency but also his stature in the game from Slovakia to North America.
Chara was the second European captain to win the Cup, following Swede Nicklas Lidstrom with Detroit. He was one of the faces of a winning era for the Bruins, which also included trips to the final in 2013 and 2019, the latter of which he finished while playing with a broken jaw.
Drafted by the Islanders in the third round in 1996, he played his first four seasons on Long Island before getting traded to the Senators. Boston signing him in 2006 remains one of the most impactful free agency signings in the 17 years of the NHL's salary cap era.
Chara made five of his six All-Star Game appearances while with the Bruins and was one of the city's most popular athletes during that time. He left in 2020 when the team would not guarantee him a full-time job for the entire season, so he signed a one-year deal with Washington before finishing his playing career with the Islanders.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
Los Angeles residents flee wildfire as fierce winds gain strength
Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a potentially 'life-threatening, destructive' windstorm hit Southern California on Tuesday, fanning the blaze seen for miles while roads were clogged with cars as residents tried to flee.
Liberal leadership hopeful Frank Baylis noncommittal on eliminating consumer carbon tax
Liberal leadership hopeful Frank Baylis says eliminating the consumer carbon tax alone will not 'solve the affordability issue for Canadians.'
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
Canadian naval vessel shadowed by Chinese war ship in the East China Sea
CTV National News is on board the HMCS Ottawa, embedded with Canadian Navy personnel and currently documenting their work in the East China Sea – a region where China is increasingly flexing its maritime muscle. This is the first of a series of dispatches from the ship.
Limit coffee-drinking to this time window to lower early death risk, study suggests
Drinking coffee has repeatedly been linked with better heart health and prolonged life. But the benefits of coffee consumption could depend on when you drink it, new research has found.
B.C. 'childbirth activist' charged with manslaughter after newborn's death
A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say
The highly decorated soldier who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI including ChatGPT to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.
New Westminster police incident that triggered evacuations of courthouse, college has cleared
A threat against the courthouse in New Westminster triggered evacuations in the city’s downtown Tuesday morning, according to authorities.
Atlantic
-
Halifax murder trial: Eyewitness describes fatal stabbing of 16-year-old boy
The murder trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the killing of a 16-year-old student last year heard today from an eyewitness to the fatal stabbing.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
-
'A very good candidate': New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc a contender for next Liberal leader
A day after Justin Trudeau announced he was resigning as the federal Liberal leader and prime minister, speculation continues to swirl around who might replace him. Among the many possible contenders is New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc – a longtime cabinet minister and childhood friend of Trudeau.
Toronto
-
Ontario launching rebates for energy efficient home renovations and upgrades
Ontario is introducing two new energy efficiency programs, including one offering rebates for certain home improvements.
-
3 people charged in shooting death of Quebec man near Woodbine Beach
Three people have been arrested in connection with a shooting near Woodbine Beach last summer that left a 21-year-old Quebec man dead.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
Montreal
-
Seniors forced to leave Hochelaga-Maisonneuve retirement home early amid closure controversy
Seniors forced to leave Hochelaga-Maisonneuve retirement home early amid closure controversy
-
Quebec woman charged after allegedly abandoning newborn outside
A 38-year-old woman was charged after allegedly abandoning her newborn shortly after giving birth outside in Trois-Rivières on New Year's Day.
-
Quebecer who murdered partner, 2 children serving life sentence in men's prison
A Quebecer convicted of killing her spouse and two children is now serving a life sentence in a men's prison.
Northern Ontario
-
Fatal crash between pickup, train in northern Ontario
The driver of a pickup truck has died following a collision with a train in northern Ontario on Tuesday morning.
-
Snowmobiler found dead after going through the ice on northern Ont. lake
Provincial police say an 82-year-old has died after going through the ice on Lake Temagmi on Monday.
-
Sault man charged in weekend stabbing
A 26-year-old man from Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following a stabbing in the city over the weekend.
Windsor
-
Help needed after Wings Rehab Centre changes volunteer protocols amid avian flu concerns
In a post online, Wings Rehab indicated that effective this week, volunteers under the age of 18 are no longer permitted to assist at the animal rehabilitation facility, and that all adult volunteers are now required to have a current flu vaccination until further notice.
-
$400,000 in drugs seized after police uncover drug trafficking operation
Two suspects have been arrested and over $400,000 in illicit drugs seized after a months-long investigation.
-
Detroit Lions acknowledging Windsor fans
The Lions-themed drone show will start at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 and feature about 400 drones in the sky over the festival plaza and Detroit River.
London
-
Second-degree murder charge laid in connection to suspicious death in north London
One person is dead and one person is facing a second-degree murder charge as London police investigate a suspicious death.
-
Timing bodes well for cash-strapped TVDSB looking to sell surplus land
Some of the solutions to the Thames Valley District School Board’s financial woes could be found right under its nose.
-
'He was walking down the middle of the train tracks': Minor injuries after person struck by train in London, Ont.
A man is lucky to be alive after being hit by a train Tuesday morning in London, Ont. Around 7:30 a.m. a train came to a halt just east of Third St. after blasting its horn.
Kitchener
-
New details released in case against admitted doula defrauder in Ontario
A woman, who previously admitted to faking pregnancies and defrauding numerous doulas, has pleaded guilty again to similar crimes, committed while serving her sentence on the original set of charges.
-
To amalgamate or not? Brant County and Brantford mayors pick sides
The mayors of Brant County and Brantford are at odds over the idea of amalgamation.
-
Waterloo Regional Police Service helps recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
Waterloo Regional Police Services helped recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
Barrie
-
Winter weather travel advisory issued for Simcoe County
Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for parts of central Ontario.
-
Police warn about ‘aggressive text scam’ circulating locally
The Barrie police fraud unit is warning residents about an “aggressive text messaging scam” it says is circulating locally.
-
Man accused of attempted murder in alleged hit-and-run granted bail
A man accused of attempted murder in connection to an alleged hit-and-run has been granted bail.
Winnipeg
-
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
-
Manitoba regulator orders hike in auto premiums, calls for action on brain injuries
Manitobans will soon be paying more for basic automobile insurance.
-
'Unacceptable': Removal of beaver dam in Manitoba community sends surge downstream
The removal of a beaver dam in a rural Manitoba community is having some unintended consequences, sending a small flood downstream, catching residents off-guard.
Calgary
-
Calgary city council receives fourth straight pay raise
Calgary city councillors are enjoying another pay bump, marking the fourth consecutive year of salary increases. As of Jan. 1, the mayor and councillors received a 3.07 per cent raise, bringing the total increase since 2022 to 9.5 per cent.
-
Calgary senior facing more sexual assault charges
Calgary police say additional sexual assault charges have been laid against a senior who worked as a volunteer sponsor helping families immigrate to Canada.
-
Parachute was not deployed in fatal southern Alberta glider crash: TSB
An investigation into a fatal glider crash in southern Alberta last year confirmed the pilot managed to get out of his aircraft, but his parachute failed to open.
Edmonton
-
'It's really exhausting': What 1 councillor says could speed up Edmonton’s construction troubles
City Councillor Andrew Knack is looking for solutions to make the city’s construction in the west end more bearable for drivers.
-
Man airlifted to hospital after crash between train, semi near Edmonton
A 20-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after a crash involving a train and a semi north of Edmonton on Tuesday.
-
'Not an easy decision': Chinatown's Italian Bakery to close for good due to safety concerns
After 64 years in business, the Italian Bakery in Chinatown is closing its doors for good.
Regina
-
'Accessibility is the key': Breast cancer screening bus rolls into Weyburn
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency's Breast Screening Bus has made its way to Weyburn, just in time for the beginning of new screening standards in the province.
-
Sask. man who withheld daughter to prevent COVID vaccination appeals conviction
A Saskatchewan father who was found guilty of withholding his daughter in contravention of a custody order is appealing his conviction.
-
Regina Crime Stoppers received 832 tips, offered nearly $13K in rewards in 2024
Regina Crime Stoppers received a total of 832 tips in 2024, many of which pertained to drug related crimes.
Saskatoon
-
Crown challenges ruling in THC-impaired driving case where child was killed
The Crown has filed an appeal in a high-profile case involving the death of nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice.
-
Chaos in Ottawa means uncertainty, opportunity for some Sask. industries
One day after the Prime Minister announced his intention to resign, observers are waiting to learn what a prorogued Parliament means for Saskatchewan.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
Vancouver
-
Works from artists who have experienced homelessness spotlighted in new exhibition
An art exhibition that aims to abolish misconceptions around what it means to be homeless, while promoting the work of local, often overlooked, artists, has just launched at a downtown Vancouver art space.
-
Police urge caution from drivers amid foggy Vancouver conditions
For the second day in a row several parts of Metro Vancouver were blanketed with heavy fog during the morning commute.
-
A B.C. mom’s real-life nightmare and the search to find her trafficked daughter
A Vancouver island mom shares the story of what happened to her teenaged daughter – and the warning for other parents about sex trafficking.
Vancouver Island
-
Philippine Mars towed from Patricia Bay to Cowichan Bay for final repairs
The Philippine Mars waterbomber has finally left North Saanich's Patricia Bay, but it hasn't travelled very far. On Monday, it was towed across the Saanich Inlet to Cowichan Bay for some much-needed repairs.
-
'Inconsistent with a normal house fire': Police investigating View Royal blaze as arson
A Vancouver Island family narrowly escaped an intense fire at their home in View Royal Tuesday morning, and local police are now investigating the blaze as arson.
-
B.C. 'childbirth activist' charged with manslaughter after newborn's death
A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
