Zdeno Chara retirement: NHL world reacts to the league’s oldest player hanging up the skates after 24-year career

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After 24 years of playing in the NHL, defenseman Zdeno Chara has elected to finally call it quits at the age of 45, as the veteran announced his retirement from hockey on Tuesday on his Instagram. 

The longtime Bruins captain is going to sign a one-day contract with Boston so that he can retire as a Bruin. 

“After 25 seasons of professional hockey 1,680 NHL regular season games, 200 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and hundreds of international games I am proud to announce my decision to retire from the National Hockey League,” Chara said in his post. “In doing so, I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family.

“There are so many people that have helped contribute to my success, including all of you, and I look forward to properly thanking everyone this afternoon.”

The news was not surprising, given Chara’s age. The Slovak has been playing on one-year contracts for the last four years, with the possibility of retirement consistently hovering around him. However, he finally decided to hang up the skates before the 2022-23 season. 

No defenseman has played more games in the NHL than Chara, who finishes his career with 1,680 games played. They spanned 24 seasons that included 14 with the Bruins, five with the Islanders in two separate stints, four years with the Senators and one season with the Capitals. He retires as a Stanley Cup champion and Norris Trophy winner. 

It was impossible to not notice Chara’s presence on the ice. Standing at 6-9, he is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL. He could eat up minutes and was never afraid to go toe-to-toe with an opponent in a fight. He also won the NHL’s hardest shot competition five times in a row from 2007 to 2012. 

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In his prime, Chara was one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league and a warrior on the ice. “Big Zee” leaves the NHL with a Hall of Fame career and likely his No. 33 up in the rafters at TD Garden. 

Who is the tallest active player in the NHL?

With Chara retiring, that means that there are new giants that bear the title of tallest player in the NHL. 

Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers and Wild defenseman Andrej Sustr are now the two tallest skaters in the league. Both blue liners are listed at 6-8, one inch shorter than Chara. 

Who is the oldest active player in NHL?

In addition to being the tallest player, Chara was the oldest active player last season, entering the season at the age of 44. 

As we head into the new season, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson will be the oldest active player on a roster. The veteran netminder is 41 years old heading into the 2022-23 campaign. 

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Joe Thornton would be the oldest, as he is 43 years old, however, he remains a free agent heading into training camp. He has not yet announced his retirement. 

Reactions to Zdeno Chara’s retirement

With the news of Chara’s retirement, the hockey world reacted to the news of Big Z calling it a career with players, teams, fans and media members reflecting on Chara’s career. 

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