Saturday, sources confirmed that the Boston Bruins have in fact signed Zdeno Chara, a four-time All-Star, to a seven-year contract on the morning of the season opener for the Bruins against the Phoenix Coyotes. As for financial terms of the seven-year deal, the contract, which is set to keep Chara part of the Bruins through the 2016-2017 NHL season and until the Bruins captain turns 41 years of age, is reportedly worth $45.5 million.

Originally drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, 33-year-old Chara comes in at 6-foot-9, which makes him the tallest hockey player in the history of the NHL. He played between the Islanders and the Ottawa Senators for eight seasons, four and four, respectively and was then signed in 2006 by the Boston Bruins as a free agent. Upon signing his contract with Boston that year, he was immediately named the captain of the team and has held that title ever since.

The star on the ice is starting his fifth season with the Bruins this year, but his 13th season for his NHL career. In the 2008-2009 NHL season, Chara won the Norris Trophy, signifying him as the top defenseman in the league by recording 19 goals scored, 31 assists, as well as 95 penalty minutes in a total of 80 games. God and good health willing, Chara plans to claim that trophy again this season.

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