BostonBruins.com - Over the coming weeks, we will be highlighting season ticket holders who have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or are on the frontlines of the fight against the virus. This week, we feature Malden firefighter and FedEx employee Peter McLean.

BostonBruins.com - During this time of unprecedented crisis, Zdeno Chara is feeling fortunate. While the 43-year-old's hockey career has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a silver lining to his nearly three-month stretch at home.

Some quality family time with wife Tatiana, daughter Elliz, and twin sons Zach and Ben has been a much-needed reprieve for the Bruins captain and has helped him maintain perspective following the NHL's Return-to-Play format announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

"We have to be grateful for the opportunity that we're getting when you look at the real-life perspective, what other people's families, businesses are going through," Chara said during a media conference call on Thursday morning. "We're getting the opportunity to almost start where we ended the season. Not everybody is getting the same chance.

"A lot of people lost a lot of financial support; businesses went down and they will never get the same opportunity. We have to be grateful for the opportunity and take it as a huge motivation and excitement and embrace it."

BostonBruins.com - On the heels of the National Hockey League's expansive return-to-play announcement, Bruins president Cam Neely expressed his pleasure with the steps being taken to resume the 2019-20 season at some point this summer after a nearly three-month shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Excited to at least get to the next phase where the players and owners have agreed upon a format on return to play," Neely said during a media conference call on Wednesday afternoon. "Hopefully soon we'll be able to get our facility open on a voluntary basis for the players to come in and use."

BostonBruins.com - Here is a pre-exercise warm-up routine for children, courtesy of BFit - Approachable Fitness for Our Community.

BostonBruins.com - The National Hockey League took a giant step forward in its plans for a resumption of the 2019-20 season on Tuesday afternoon with the official announcement of a 24-team postseason format and the conclusion of the regular season. The league was put on pause on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner Gary Bettman outlined the plan, which was agreed upon by both the league and the NHLPA, during a 15-minute presentation before a national television audience.

"This is an important day, especially for NHL fans," said Bettman. "Since March 12, we have been hopeful and optimistic that by developing all options and alternatives we could get to this point. I know I join sports fans everywhere when we say we cannot wait for our players to hit the ice again.

"And I look forward to the greatest privilege of all, presenting the most storied and coveted trophy in all of sports to the captain of the 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion."

BOSTON - The Boston Bruins announced today that they have teamed up with The Black Dog to launch the first #LifeOnPaws Virtual Dog Walk to benefit the MSPCA-Angell. 

As part of Pet Appreciation Week, the Boston Bruins Foundation is asking fans to participate in a virtual dog walk the weekend of June 6-7. While maintaining social distance, take your pet for a walk and share your photos and videos on social media using #LifeOnPaws to join the virtual party. It is free to register, but donations are encouraged, as every penny will go towards a healthy meal for a pup in need courtesy of the MSPCA-Angell. 

Fans can register for the #LifeOnPaws Virtual Dog Walk at this link.

BostonBruins.com - The Bruins needed to get back on track.

After three straight losses to start their homestand, piled on top of not having beaten Washington at TD Garden since 2014, the Black & Gold knew they had an opportunity to head into the Christmas break on a high.

With all of that in mind, they made the most of the showdown of - at that point of the season - the top two teams in the National Hockey League. Boston surged to a four-goal lead with a stellar opening period en route to a 7-4 victory on Dec. 23.

BostonBruins.com - Over the coming weeks, we will be highlighting season ticket holders who have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or are on the frontlines of the fight against the virus. This week, we highlight Mark Brewster.

BostonBruins.com - As captain of the Providence Bruins, Paul Carey has come to learn what it takes to be a strong and effective leader. It's for that reason that his praise this week of teammate Trent Frederic was so notable.

Carey did not hesitate when asked which members of the P-Bruins' young core impressed him most during the 2019-20 season when it came to developing leadership abilities, immediately singling out Frederic for his progress throughout his second full professional campaign.

"Trent Frederic is a guy that jumps out at me," said Carey. "He not only can produce and score goals and make plays, he's also a guy that will stick up for his teammates and lead by example in that way. It's not very often that you get a guy with his size and his skill that can produce over half a point a game and also lead the league in penalty minutes.

"Guys really respect him in the room and he's a natural leader. He's a good teammate and he's a guy that really stepped up this year and helped us come together as a group and be more successful."

BOSTON - The Boston Bruins have announced the sale of new Boston Bruins Black & Gold Face Coverings on www.bostonproshop.com, with net proceeds benefitting the Greater Boston Food Bank.