Chara joins fellow Bruins icon Bourque for spin on ice in charity game

BOSTON --The defense pair was all-time: Ray Bourque and Zdeno Chara.

Hours before the Boston Bruins extended their NHL-record season-opening home winning streak to 14 games with a 5-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche at TD Garden on Saturday, the Hockey Hall of Famer and likely future Hockey Hall of Famer participated as a pair at the Nathan H. Hardy Memorial Alumni Game at Warrior Ice Arena.
"Absolute honor," Chara said. "Such a legend of the sport, for the city, for the organization. Even if it's just a charity game, a game for a good cause, it's such a privilege and honor to be on the same team with so many guys who played for a long time and did so many good things. Very humble about it."
Added Bourque before the game, "It'll be fun. I hope their expectations aren't too high on my game."
It was the debut in a Bruins alumni game for Chara, who announced his retirement as a player on Sept. 20, signing a one-day contract with the Bruins, who he captained for 14 of his 24 seasons and helped to win the 2011 Stanley Cup. The proceeds from the game benefited the Boston Bruins Foundation, Warrior for Life Fund, Fisher House Boston, and Operation Hat Trick, with the Bruins alumni competing against active and retired members of the Navy in honor of Chief Special Warfare Operator Nate Hardy.
"I haven't skated since my last game," Chara said.
That last game came on April 29, when the 45-year-old finished out his NHL career with the New York Islanders, who selected him in the fourth round (No. 56) of the 1996 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut for the Islanders and played five seasons with them.
Chara played in 1,680 NHL games, seventh on the all-time list, with 680 points (209 goals, 471 assists) for the Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Bruins and Washington Capitals, and 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) in 200 playoff games.
Asked about being a rookie on this team -- a term he has always disdained -- Chara said, "It's nice to be considered to be a young fella. It's nice to be experiencing again that type of routine, being in the locker room with teammates, getting ready for the game, even if it's not as big or as real, but still it's nice."

Chara, who has continued to live in the Boston area since his retirement, said he has been thrilled to watch the results happening down the street at TD Garden.
"Great. They're doing great, awesome," Chara said. "They're hard to beat."
Especially at home.
"They're just on a roll," said Bourque, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004 after he had 1,579 points (410 goals, 1,169 points) in 1,612 games with the Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, and 180 points (41 goals, 139 assists) in 214 playoff games. His last act as a player was winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2001.
"They really look legit. They're solid in all areas, from goaltending out. Their 'D.' And to do what they did since the beginning of the season, with what they had to start with, in terms of three key guys -- regulars -- out of their lineup, some big parts. To find a way to win and play well really says a lot about this group, not that you're surprised, because this group has done an amazing job for many years now.
"As a fan and an ex-Bruin, it's fun to watch. Can't wait to see what happens."
The Bruins began the season without defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk and forward Brad Marchand, each of whom returned early from offseason surgery to join a team that has looked like a powerhouse.
The Bruins are 20-3-0, one point behind the New Jersey Devils for the most in the NHL, though their .870 points percentage leads the League.
"They're a lot of fun to watch, I tell you," Bourque said. "I'm really impressed with their depth. It seems like that's always a question when you're coming into a season how your bottom six [will play]. And this team has been tremendous in that department."