Zdeno Chara’s Incredible Stanley Cup Final Story Leaves Fans Speechless

Zdeno Chara was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and few defensemen deserve the accolade more than he does. His induction didn’t just recognize the greatness of a player on the ice, but of a remarkable career that included toughness, grit, and leadership.

A recent story by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney perfectly encapsulates just what Chara brought to the franchise. Only a few moments in hockey capture toughness like the story Sweeney told about Chara showing up during the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

In Game 4 against the St. Louis Blues, the Boston Bruins captain fractured his jaw in multiple places. Unable to speak, when Sweeney went to visit Chara and check on his star blueliner, the big man scribbled a message that summed up everything about his career: “I’m playing.”

And he did. With his jaw wired shut, Chara suited up for Games 5 and 7, logging over 20 minutes a night. His presence alone lifted the Bruins and forced a Game 7 against the Blues.

Though Boston ultimately fell short, that moment will go down as one of the most telling signs that Chara was the ultimate gamer. Hockey players are known for being tough. Chara’s toughness was on another level.

Chara Became a Feared Competitor Around the NHL

Wayne Gretzky told a story on the NHL on TNT panel, saying the first year Chara played he wanted to jump on the ice with a player he saw as big, but not very good in terms of his skating ability. By the second season, Gretzky wanted nothing to do with Chara, saying he told his coach he was just planning to jump off the ice every time Chara was on.

As Chara enters the Hall of Fame, fans still look back in disbelief at the night he couldn’t speak but didn’t need to in order to send a message everyone heard.

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