Big Zee, One Of The Top Two Free Agent Signings In Boston Sports History, Will See His #33 Join The Rafters In January

This was only a matter of time. Longtime Boston Bruins captain and the premier shutdown defenseman of his era Zdeno Chara will see his black and gold #33 head skyward at TDG on January 15, 2026, joining retirement alongside a Kelly green and white #33 from another big game warrior. Chara's 33 will be the 13th Bs number raised to the building's rafters and the first since Willie O'Ree's #22 in January of 2022.

The Bruins shocking free agent signing of Big Zee to 5/$37.5M in the summer of '06 (and Savvy, too!) not only signaled a new era for the Boston Bruins but also a new era, and culture, in its fabled locker room. Chara, in cahoots with another burgeoning HHOFer in Patrice Bergeron, instilled a locker room ethos built on professionalism, accountability, trust, belief, team, and family. The duo played in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning a doozie of a first one but then watching two heart-breakers slip away. In the process, Boston re-established itself as a free agent destination and a place guys wanted to come play.

On the ice, Chara was simply the most dominant defenseman of his era, emphasis on defense. He snuffed out so many things so far ahead of time so many times, that it's incalculable how many scoring chances his stick, size, and smarts ultimately prevented. And for the tallest dude in NHL history at 6'9", he had some touch as well, potting double-digit goals in half of his 14 Bruins seasons. He won the 2009 Norris Trophy and was a finalist four other times wearing the spoked-B and, frankly, deserved at least one more. 

And if that wasn't enough, Zee would also just pound the fuck out of your team all over the ice because a) he is tough and huge and, b) is always in the most ridiculous shape year-round thanks to biking and about 984 other things. His stamina is still legendary as he's now moved onto full-time marathons. 

Chara could be mean when he needed to but he usually didn't have to tell you twice. Off the ice, he's legit one of the nicest guys we've ever chatted with on Chiclets. Just a genuinely good human being.

Congrats, Big Zee, on a tremendous honor. Bs fans are eternally grateful for what you did here.

The Thursday night ceremony will take place before the Bruins take on Chara's longtime nemesis, the Seattle Kraken. 

(EDIT: These were posted while I was writing so adding them now)