Zdeno Chara isn’t about individual goals, or any bright, shiny trophies that don’t answer to the first name Stanley.
But the Bruins captain is also unfailingly honest with himself and the media when he speaks, and even Chara admitted that scoring 20 goals this season and winning his second Norris Trophy are things that he would thoroughly enjoy.
“I wouldn’t say that I’ve always wanted to do it, but it would be nice to reach 20 [goals]. It’s not on my priority list that I need to score two, or three, or four goals and reach 20,” said Chara. “If it happens, then it happens. But I want to make it happens in the right way, and it’s within the natural flow of a game. I’m not going to be going out there and forcing plays, or taking high risks in …show more content…
That he’s been able to do that this season while also shepherding along 20-year-old Dougie Hamilton as his defensive partner is saying something pretty award-worthy.
“I talked about it all of last year. I didn’t know what to expect when I came in here, but you could tell right away how good [Chara] was,” said Hamilton. “It’s so impressive how well he moves for his size, and how good his hands are, and how smart he is. It’s been really fun to play with him, and I think our chemistry is building. It certainly makes life a lot easier for me playing with him.”
Clearly, Chara would have the vote if it were up to his teammates. Johnny Boychuk has been his on-again, off-again partner for the last three years, and knows it’s been a challenging year for Chara with Dennis Seidenberg done for the season back in December.
“Honestly, I think Chara should win every single season,” said Boychuk. “He shuts down all of the best players in the world, he always plays big minutes in every situation and he’s a huge part of our power play year in and year out. Every guy in this room knows how good he
But the Bruins captain is also unfailingly honest with himself and the media when he speaks, and even Chara admitted that scoring 20 goals this season and winning his second Norris Trophy are things that he would thoroughly enjoy.
“I wouldn’t say that I’ve always wanted to do it, but it would be nice to reach 20 [goals]. It’s not on my priority list that I need to score two, or three, or four goals and reach 20,” said Chara. “If it happens, then it happens. But I want to make it happens in the right way, and it’s within the natural flow of a game. I’m not going to be going out there and forcing plays, or taking high risks in …show more content…
That he’s been able to do that this season while also shepherding along 20-year-old Dougie Hamilton as his defensive partner is saying something pretty award-worthy.
“I talked about it all of last year. I didn’t know what to expect when I came in here, but you could tell right away how good [Chara] was,” said Hamilton. “It’s so impressive how well he moves for his size, and how good his hands are, and how smart he is. It’s been really fun to play with him, and I think our chemistry is building. It certainly makes life a lot easier for me playing with him.”
Clearly, Chara would have the vote if it were up to his teammates. Johnny Boychuk has been his on-again, off-again partner for the last three years, and knows it’s been a challenging year for Chara with Dennis Seidenberg done for the season back in December.
“Honestly, I think Chara should win every single season,” said Boychuk. “He shuts down all of the best players in the world, he always plays big minutes in every situation and he’s a huge part of our power play year in and year out. Every guy in this room knows how good he