Bruins Zdeno Chara Named Norris Trophy Finalist

The Norris Trophy is annually awarded to the best defensive player in the NHL, an accolade that follows Boston Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara season to season. Previously winning the award in 2009, this year marks Chara skating to the finalist circle at a total of six times throughout his career, 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2012. Chara will join fellow contenders Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks and Shea Weber in the fight for a blue-liners top tribute.

“Well it’s obviously a huge honor,” said Chara. “It’s one of those things that you’re very proud of and it’s something that you need to have the whole team working towards the same direction and working together, and it’s a reflection of the whole season — having a steady and strong season as a team. That’s why we have a number of guys nominated. I’m very humbled and obviously it’s a huge honor to be nominated.” 

While the award is notably to recognize the achievements of one player and his individual defensive performance, the Bruins Captain devotes himself to the team, they rise and fall together. The steady play for the Slovakian native and his ability to adapt on a game-by-game basis is just one cog in the defensive powerhouse that both Bruins brass and fans of the black and gold have come to love.

“He’s the best defender in the League – I don’t think anyone’s close, defending. And I thought this past series he was terrific. I know it was after the voting, but I thought he was just terrific,” said GM Chiarelli. “He still gets up, you know, you play a team with a real star, and he really takes that as a challenge, and I think his – I guess – skating, is good, and you maybe don’t see him shoot as much because you’re used to seeing him on the one-timer but he still blasts it. So I think he deserves the nomination, I think he deserves the award. And it’s no offense to the others.”

The statistics on paper aren’t overwhelming, although his size and presence both on and off the ice certainly are. With six bought’s in the finalists circle, the single win in 2009 doesn’t come as a shock from a general managing standpoint.

“So no, it doesn’t surprise me,” said GM Chiarelli. “It’s a little disappointing, but he doesn’t have that coast-to-coast ability. I know we’ve seen it a couple of times, but that’s not the trademark of his game. So it doesn’t really surprise me, so as I said earlier, this guy defends. To defend is so difficult, and to love doing it, there’s very few players who love doing it, and he does.”

The key phrasing to take out of Chiarelli’s sentiments, that Chara loves what he’s put on the ice to do. For anyone questioning if there’s truth behind that statement, the largest player in the league may have a similarly large heart when it comes to the game he’s built a life around.

“I really do enjoy that,” said Chara on new roles and leading the younger defensemen. “As you get older and you’ve been in the league for a while, you don’t realize how much you’re going to maybe miss that part of the game once you’re gone. So I’m not saying that I’m thinking about being gone or retiring, but I’m kind of realizing that the time is not going to be always there. I enjoy really coming to the rink every day. I enjoy competing in practices against guys and always in the games. I love the game. I’ve said it many times — it’s a humbling game and I love everything about it. So every little part of it, you have to obtain joy. You have to have fun and work hard at it, and if you do that, you have no regrets. You basically do what you love and it’s much easier than coming to the rink and thinking about, Oh my God, I have to do this again. You always want to look at it in a positive way.” 

While the winner won’t be announced until June 24th at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, win or lose, Zdeno Chara will remain a winner in the eyes of Boston and the management that has helped pushed his game to it’s highest caliber.