NHL

Zdeno Chara Says He Has ‘No Plans' to Retire, Wants to Win 2nd Cup With B's

Bruins' big man Zdeno Chara, who turned 42 years old yesterday, says he has no plans to retire.

"I want to continue to play. I believe that I have a lot left and I have a lot of passion for the game. I love competing. I love doing all these things, coming to the rink, talking to the guys, doing the routine, working out in the summer, going through that grind," the towering 6'9" Slovakian defenseman said in an interview in early March that was published today.

Chara apparently also reached out to former NHL players Nicklas Lidstrom and former teammates Mark Recchi and Jaromir Jagr, all of whom have experience playing at a late age. Jagr still currently plays professional hockey, but in the Czech Republic Hockey League.

According to NHL.com, "Lidstrom bowed out when he was 42, at the end of the 2011-12 season after 20 years and 1,564 games in the NHL. Recchi left when he was 43, after winning the Stanley Cup at the end of the 2010-11 season with 1,652 games under his belt."

Chara played in his 1,400th NHL game in February. 

The 6'9" defenseman engages in some intense offseason training to stay in playing shape at his age, which might rival that of TB12.

Regardless, it doesn't sound like Chara sees an end in sight, and is even still willing to drop the gloves when necessary, as the Bruins prepare for the playoffs, which are only a couple of weeks away.

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