Chara's Return Will Be Quieter, But No Less Special

BOSTON - There are countless ways to measure the impact of Zdeno Chara on the city of Boston. For 14 years, the former Bruins captain represented the organization and the city with grace, dignity, and dedication.
From his countless accomplishments on the ice in helping return the Bruins to championship glory, to his relentless commitment to excellence in the gym, to his unwavering dedication to providing a welcoming and accepting environment for all, to his steadfast efforts in the community, Chara became one of Boston's best ambassadors.
And perhaps the clearest indication of how much Chara meant to this region came on June 6, 2019.

For nearly 72 hours, there was rampant speculation about whether or not the hulking blue liner would be able to suit up for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Bruins and St. Louis Blues. Three days earlier, during Game 4 of the series, a deflected puck caught Chara in the face, leaving him with a broken jaw.
Such an injury would leave most - if not all - others sidelined for weeks, but with the Final tied at two games apiece and the Cup within sight, Chara was not about to miss one of the biggest games of his life.
"I just assumed he wouldn't be able to play," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy recalled on Tuesday morning at Warrior Ice Arena. "But he was ready to go…not surprised."
Neither were Bruins fans. But that did not stop them from showing him their appreciation when Chara was announced as part of the starting lineup before the game.
Standing stoically on the blue line, Chara was greeted with a thunderous, spinetingling ovation that, to date, is without doubt one of the loudest - if not the loudest - moments in the 25-year history of TD Garden.
"He became part of the fabric of the things that we want within this organization and within this city," said Brandon Carlo, who was paired up with Chara during his rookie season with Boston in 2016-17. "For me, before I even got here, he was a guy that I was idolizing, and then when I got here [I learned] so much from him.
"It was such a great pleasure to be able to skate alongside him on a pairing. Just a big honor in my life, for sure. He was the image you want to portray in the Boston Bruins."

Unfortunately, there will be no repeat of that renowned moment on Wednesday night. When Chara returns to Causeway Street for the first time since leaving the Bruins for the Washington Capitals via free agency in December, TD Garden will be empty. It will be another three weeks before fans are allowed back in the building for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"It would have been so amazing if we could have re-lived some of those moments with the crowd being there," said Carlo. "Feel like it would have been just as loud as Game 5 of the Finals when he came back from his jaw injury. It would have been very special. But still, it's gonna be great to see him back in Boston. He's been doing great this year. We definitely miss him but happy he's succeeding."
The 43-year-old, who has not suited up as a visitor on Causeway Street since March 16, 2006, has played in all 21 of Washington's games this season, picking up two goals and four assists, while helping the Capitals to the top spot in the Eat Division (12-5-4, 28 points), two points ahead of the Bruins (12-5-2, 26 points). He is averaging 19:24 of ice time, which is third on the Caps behind John Carlson and Alexander Ovechkin.
"I will prepare for the game just the same way as I always prepare for any game. I will try to be ready and will do my best," Chara said on Tuesday before the Caps' practice in Brighton.
"At certain times it is special but at a time when the puck is dropped you really have to focus on what's happening on the ice and not what's kind of around you or what's outside of the glass.
"I'm sure it's going to be a very familiar place…the environment is something that I was very close with for many years."
The environment around TD Garden is normally a raucous one on game days. But with fans still prohibited from attending games, Chara will have to wait for his chance to reunite with the Black & Gold faithful.
"I wouldn't say it's disappointing," said Chara. "We have to respect the protocols, we have to respect the safety and all of the fans and players and everyone working at these facilities is the most important thing. It would be great to have fans at the arenas and cheering us on and experience these energy swings during the games, but it's been quite some time that we are kind of used to not playing with fans, so we've just got to create our own energy and just feed off that."

Whenever Chara is eventually given his due from a capacity Garden crowd - whether it's later this spring or sometime next season - it is likely to rival that June evening two years ago.
"I think from Day 1 in 2006 when I signed with Boston Bruins, I feel really connected with the Boston fans and the City of Boston," said Chara. "I developed so many great friendships and connections and we went through so many ups and downs together. We always felt their energy and support being with us and behind us in those times, and the best moment that we all can probably share is to bring Stanley Cup back to Boston in 2011.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate and how lucky and blessed I am to share these celebrations with the fans and everything they've done for me and my family, all these communities I've been part of.
"I just want to thank them for everything they've done for me and my family - for the support and for the love."