Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar and Roman Josi were among the hockey luminaries who sent congratulatory messages as the Boston Bruins celebrated Chara before their game against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
Shea Weber, Mark Giordano, Steven Stamkos, Ryan Getzlaf and former NHL defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom joined Ovechkin, Toews, Kopitar and Josi to offer their congratulations to Chara.
"That's a lot of games not only in the NHL but as a captain," Toews said in his message. "You're one of the best in the game; a great leader. Your commitment and preparation off the ice is unheard of and unparalleled. All the other captains and leaders in the League look up to you; you're the one carving the path for us."
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely also recorded congratulatory messages for Chara, who played his 1,500th game earlier this season and his 1,000th as Bruins captain against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 13.
The Bruins gave Chara a watch, a book of letters from fellow NHL players and staff, a vacation to a destination of his choice, a gold stick, and an oil painting for his accomplishments.
