Chara: During Global Health Crisis, 'Hockey is Secondary'

BostonBruins.com - Zdeno Chara has long been a role model for hockey players at any level. Over his 20-plus years in the National Hockey League, his leadership, determination, and commitment has served as an inspiration for teammates and rivals alike.
That much was clear on Monday afternoon.
The Bruins captain joined Atlantic Division foes John Tavares, Brady Tkachuk, and Dylan Larkin on a video conference call with members of the media to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. And during the roughly 40-minute session, his counterparts spoke of the 43-year-old with nothing but reverence.

"His competitiveness, his long stick, you can't get around him or get by him," said Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings' leading scorer. "I know we have [assistant coach] Doug Houda who had Big Zee in Boston for a while - he says just skate by him, but you can't. His stick is so long, he's got great feet. I definitely don't miss when that puck does get by him and you've got to get in the corner and get it back from him.
"You know he's gonna get a piece of you somehow. I don't miss that. But it has been great to grow up and watch him and get the chance to play against him…pretty special, one of those guys you'll get to tell your kids you played against."
Tavares, captain of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, has always marveled at Chara's training regimens from afar and joked that he was looking forward to picking up some tips from the big man as players from across the league attempt to find ways to stay in shape with the league on an indefinite pause.
"My whole plan was just to come on here and pick his brain about what he's been doing, his longevity, and what he's done fitness-wise knowing how legendary it is," Tavares said with a smile. "Certainly, I can talk about the price you've got to pay in front of the net when you're playing in front of Big Zee and I think also there might not be any worse scenario than being stuck along the boards and angled off by the big man.
"A lot of good battles over the years, obviously playoffs last year as well. His longevity and intensity that he plays with, you know you have to be ready to play. He's not taking any shift for granted or off."

Chara, who turned 43 on March 18, has been doing his best to stay in shape as the shutdown enters its third week. The blue liner traveled to Florida with his family - wife, Tatiana; daughter Elliz; and twin sons, Ben and Zack - the day before his birthday, making the nearly 24-hour drive from Boston to stay at a gated community in the Sunshine State.
"That was obviously one of the reasons why we decided to drive down here, to spend a little bit more time outside, but also to work out - not being in public gyms - but in my own environment. Trying to do what I can," said Chara, who has been using dumbbells, a stationary bike, and his pool to keep fit.
"Our training staff is sending us a few options we can follow, as far as programs…bike options, guys can do at home on their stationary bikes. Then, for those who don't have those options, maybe they can go for a jog or a run, use maybe roller skates, do what you can do to keep in shape. Pretty much like everybody else."
For Chara and everyone across the sports world, there is no end in sight, creating a type of unknown that no athlete is used to. Making it even more difficult for the Bruins - who lead the NHL with 100 points through 70 games - and some of the league's top contenders, is the possibility that their Stanley Cup dreams are now just that.
"It is hard to pause the league at that kind of stage where we were at, with a few games remaining and so close to the playoffs," said Chara, whose team was set to attempt to avenge last spring's Stanley Cup Final loss. "The team played well, with confidence, and we were obviously on a good pace. Who knows?
"I think that we can't always wish for the perfect situations. I think situations do happen once in a while. Hopefully we will play again, and we'll see where that's gonna be."
In the meantime, hockey is far from the most important thing on anybody's mind.
"It is obviously one of those situations that you can't really control," said Chara. "I think that right now we all have to look after each other, after our families. I know it's kind of a cliché answer…in these days, hockey is secondary."