Legendary NHL Defenseman Announces Retirement

Longtime NHL and future Hockey Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara has announced his retirement through his personal Instagram account. With that, he will be signing a one-day deal with the Boston Bruins to retire as a member of the club.

24 years. Chara lasted 24 years in the NHL, and the 6-foot-9 defenseman was still among the league's toughest players at the end of his career. He spent this past season with the New York Islanders, where he had two goals, 12 assists, and 85 penalty minutes in 72 games. He showed signs that he could still be a decent bottom-pairing defenseman, but the 45-year-old has instead decided to call it a career.

Yet, everyone knows Chara best as a Bruin. He spent 14 seasons as their captain, where he of course led them to the Stanley Cup in 2011. With that, this is where he would blossom into one of the NHL's top players, as he won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2009.

All great careers must have come to an end, and Chara's has reached its conclusion. In 1,680 career games (most all-time by an NHL defenseman), he had 209 goals, 471 assists, and 680 points. Truly spectacular from a defensive defenseman. We here at NHLTR would like to congratulate Chara on his wonderful career and wish him a happy retirement.