Longtime NHL Defenseman Zdeno Chara, 45, Retires as Bruin

Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara, of Slovakia, hoists the cup following the Bruins' 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 15, 2011. The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward/AP Photo

BOSTON—Zdeno Chara announced his retirement Tuesday after playing 21 seasons in the NHL and captaining the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011.

The 6-foot-9 defenseman from Slovakia is calling it a career at age 45. He returned to TD Garden in Boston to make that announcement two years after splitting with the Bruins following 14 seasons.