BOSTON — Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara announced on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he will be leaving the club after 14 seasons with the Bruins. Chara has been a member of the team since signing as a free agent in the 2006 offseason. Since his first game in Boston, he has served as captain and defensive anchor for the franchise for the last 14 years – the second-longest tenure as team captain in club history.
After 14 seasons in Boston that included 3 Stanley Cup appearances and 1 title, Zdeno Chara announced Wednesday that he will not be returning to the Bruins in 2021. To the respected, revered & beloved captain, we say thank you for everything Big Z.
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) December 30, 2020
STORY: https://t.co/HMe58XI8cR pic.twitter.com/tLYj2YrG3i
The 22-year veteran of the NHL posted on Wednesday thanking Boston and Bruins fans for their support and loyalty during his near-decade-and-a-half of service with the team.
“Recently, The Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players and I respect their decision. Unfortunately, my time as the proud Captain of the Bruins has come to an end,” Chara wrote in the caption of the post.
As a member of the Bruins, Chara captained three teams that made it to the Stanley Cup Final, with the 2011 squad capturing the team’s first championship since the spring of 1972.
“As I begin this next chapter, I want the people of Boston to know how proud I was to be a Bruin and how grateful I am for all of the support over the years. ‘Thank you’ does not seem adequate to express my sincere gratitude. I will always be a Bruin. I will always love Boston,” he surmised in his farewell post to the team and the city on Wednesday.
Big Z is headed south #Bruins #Capitals pic.twitter.com/9F4OZrMfUZ
— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) December 30, 2020
While Chara did not say where he would play this upcoming season, the Washington Capitals announced shortly after his goodbye post that the former Bruin would be signing in the nation’s capital. Chara will play in D.C. after signing a 1-year deal worth $795,000.
OFFICIAL! BIG Z TO DC!
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 30, 2020
The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms with defenseman Zdeno Chara to a one-year, $795,000 contract.
Full Details: https://t.co/1Pqb61mP5q#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Ad50bX7LvA
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News was first to report that signing on Wednesday.
I've been told that Zdeno Chara, shockingly, just signed with the Washington Capitals.
— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) December 30, 2020
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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