BOSTON — At 42, Zdeno Chara is 14 years older than the next oldest Bruins defenseman, Torey Krug. Chara was 29 when he signed with the Bruins as a free agent from Ottawa in 2006 and was immediately named captain. Yet his greatest and most lasting contribution may be the knowledge he has imparted to the current crop of Bruins defensemen. Clifton played a key role in the sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, and he credits Chara with showing him what is required to excel in the N.H.L. “He’s the ultimate professional,” said Clifton, a New Jersey native who played four years at Quinnipiac University.

Source: New York Times May 26, 2019 05:03 UTC