Zdeno Chara will return to the ice on Aug. 21 in his hometown of Trencin, Slovakia, for a farewell game that doubles as a reunion and fundraiser. The event, called Zee’s Final Shift, will be played at Pavol Demitra Ice Arena and will support several schools in Slovakia.
A Celebration of Zdeno Chara’s Legacy
Chara last appeared in an NHL game on April 29, 2022, with the New York Islanders, the club where he began his career. Since retiring, he has taken part in alumni and charity skates while focusing heavily on endurance events such as marathons and Ironman races. He now serves as a hockey operations advisor and mentor with the Boston Bruins.
The idea for the celebration grew after Marian Hossa staged a charity game in Trencin three years ago, which Chara attended. When the same organizers proposed a similar sendoff, Chara agreed, viewing it as a chance to thank the community where he grew up and to reconnect with former teammates and friends.
The matchup will feature a team labeled “Boston” against “Svet,” a squad made up of players from around the world. Some participants will play, while others will assist behind the bench. The guest list includes Ray Bourque, Mark Recchi, Jaromir Jagr, David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, Anze Kopitar, Ziggy Palffy, Marian Hossa, Marco Sturm, Andrew Ference, Jaroslav Halak, and Andrej Sekera, among others. Brad Marchand had been slated to take part but will miss the game after undergoing surgery.
For local fans, the event offers a rare in-person farewell. Aside from international duty for Slovakia, Chara spent virtually all of his 24 NHL seasons in North America. His only brief return to club hockey at home came in 2001-02, when he played eight games for HK Dukla Trencin during contract negotiations with the Ottawa Senators.
The following day, players are scheduled for golf or biking, along with a barbecue, giving visitors a chance to see more of Trencin and its deep hockey roots. Organizers describe the gathering as both a celebration of Chara’s Hall of Fame career and a tribute to the city that launched it.