“This new chapter has opened up a whole new world for me.” NHL legend Zdeno Chara told Runner’s World while packing his bags for the Triathlon World Championship in October 2024. By that time, the NHL legend had completed eight marathons, including two Boston Marathons, a half Ironman, and a full Ironman. And the World Championship? That would hardly be the end of it. 

But then again, it’s hardly surprising, even though it has been almost three years since Chara signed that one-day contract with the Boston Bruins to officially retire as a member of the team. After all, we are talking about a guy who once rode a bicycle for 7 hours and 200 miles across Czechia, and was notorious for storing bikes all across the world. For his latest bike ride, however, it’s quite unlikely that he needed to access any of his overseas stashes.

The NHL reported through their official X handle that this weekend, Zdeno Chara ran the Oravaman Triathlon in Slovakia, which includes a 2 km swim, 86 km on bike, and a 19.5 km run with 3100 m of elevation throughout. But then again, why would a 24-season veteran, Stanley Cup-winning defenceman ever put his body through the hell of triathlons at 48 years of age? Why would he even bother transitioning to the sport? For the Slovak, it was more natural than you think.

Chara told Runner’s World last year, “My athletic journey post-hockey naturally gravitated toward endurance sports.” Chara further added, “I’ve always enjoyed cycling and running, so the transition to triathlon felt like a natural progression.” In another incident, he also admitted why he is doing this: “It’s a delicate balance, especially as I’m still adapting to the demands of endurance sports after years of hockey-specific training.” But while he is busy fulfilling all his athletic bucket list one by one, the NHL world hasn’t forgotten his efforts to lift up the game. 

Zdeno Chara elected to the NHL Hall of Fame

Zdeno Chara, the longtime captain of the Boston Bruins and one of the most dominant defensemen in NHL history, is set to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. His Hall of Fame enshrinement serves as a testament to his enduring impact on the game. The official induction ceremony will be held in Toronto on Monday, November 10, where Chara will join hockey’s most celebrated icons. 

Chara reached the pinnacle of NHL success in 2011, when is won the Stanley Cup. It was the Bruins’ first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years. He later led Boston to two more Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2013 and 2019. In 200 postseason games, he scored 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) , consistently anchoring the Bruins’ blue line when it mattered most. 

Over his 25-season NHL career, the towering defenseman logged 1,680 games, amassing 209 goals and 680 points with a plus-301 rating. In fact, he ranks only below Ray Bourque (1,506) and Bobby Orr (888) in points scored by a defenceman. Other than that, he ranks eighth in the Bruins’ history in games played. Throughout his 24-year NHL tenure, Chara played in 1,680 regular-season games along with 200 playoff games. 

These incredible stats helped him reach the pinnacle of the game he loved to play. In just a few months, he will receive one of the NHL’s most iconic awards, but what truly sets him apart is his unwavering passion for sports—be it hockey or marathons.