On Monday morning, the Boston Bruins announced that they would be retiring Zdeno Chara‘s number 33 to the rafters of TD Garden. The number retirement ceremony will take place prior to the team’s January 15th game against the Seattle Kraken.
Bruins to Retire Chara’s Number
Taking its rightful place in the rafters.
On Jan. 15, 2026, Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 will become the 13th number in #NHLBruins history to be retired.
?: https://t.co/a1vQxhQuZP pic.twitter.com/UoAayMEy0Z
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 6, 2025
This will be the first time the Bruins have retired a number since 2022. Willie O’Ree‘s number 22 was retired then. Now, it is Chara’s turn.
Chara Joins Elite Company
Chara has a big role in the Bruins’ history. That is saying something considering the Bruins are an Original Six team.
Chara joined the Bruins for the 2006-07 season. The defenceman would play 1,023 games for the Bruins. Furthermore, he would eventually become the Bruins’ captain. Under Chara’s captaincy, the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final three times, winning it all in 2011.
Once his number is joins the rafters, Chara will join elite company from Bruins’ history. He will be the 13th Bruin to have his number retired by the team. He will join:
- 22 (Willie O’Ree, 2022)
- 16 (Rick Middleton, 2018)
- 8 (Cam Neely, 2004)
- 24 (Terry O’Reilly, 2002)
- 77 (Ray Bourque, 2001)
- 7 (Phil Esposito, 1987)
- 9 (Johnny Bucyk, 1980)
- 4 (Bobby Orr, 1979)
- 15 (Milt Schmidt, 1956)
- 2 (Eddie Shore, 1947)
- 5 (Aubrey Clapper, 1947)
- 3 (Lionel Hitchman, 1934)
Bruin Honour Follows Hockey HOF Honour
Earlier in the year, Chara was named part of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction class. The induction ceremony will occur in November. Needless to say, it will be a busy time for Chara. However, it will be a time filled with honours, all of them deserved.
Chara’s Statement
“It is truly beyond words to see my jersey, number 33, raised to the rafters at TD Garden,” Chara said in a statement released by the team. “This honor is greater than anything I could have imagined when I first came to Boston. I am forever grateful to the Bruins organization for trusting me to lead, to all my teammates past and present, to the fans whose passion and energy made Boston feel like home, and to my family who made everything possible. This moment is not just mine – it belongs to all of us.”
Main Photo: Winslow Townson- Imagn Images
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