"The 2005-06 NHL season was a disaster for the Boston Bruins. They traded away superstar center and captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks early in the campaign for a lackluster return package. The team lacked talent and toughness, and it finished with the fifth-worst record in the league. The franchise, which hadn't been a real Stanley Cup contender since the late 1980s and early 1990s, appeared to be light years away from ending its championship drought, which in 2006 stood at 34 years."
"But Chara, with his leadership and determination, kept the B's moving forward. One thing about Chara is he never backs down from a challenge. He looks at the impossible as very much possible. The Bruins' 2011 playoff run, which culminated with the franchise winning its first Stanley Cup in 39 years, was one of the most exciting three-month periods in the history of Boston sports."
The Bruins hit rock bottom in 2005-06 after trading captain Joe Thornton and finishing with the fifth-worst record due to lacking talent and toughness. The franchise had not been a true Stanley Cup contender since the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the championship drought reached 34 years in 2006. On July 1, 2006, Boston signed Zdeno Chara to a five-year, $37.5 million deal, a move that reshaped the team. Chara provided leadership, discipline, and determination. Playoff setbacks in 2008, 2009 and a blown 3-0 series lead in 2010 preceded the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup victory.
Read at NBC Sports Boston
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