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Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara wishes Dover-Sherborn/Weston hockey luck in Final Four

The short clip from a big man meant a whole lot.

Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara sent the Dover-Sherborn/Weston boys hockey team an encouraging message Saturday morning ahead of the team's Division 4 state semifinal matchup with top-seeded Winthrop at 3 p.m. at Gallo Arena.

"Hey guys this is Big Z. I heard you guys have a huge game coming up," the Weston resident said in a 17-second video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "So I just want to wish you best of luck. I know you can do it. Go out there, prove it and earn it. I know you guys can do it. Best wishes, and go D-S/Weston."

The Raiders (18-4) are playing in their first state semifinal since 2007 after defeating Sandwich 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

Chara played 24 seasons in the NHL, including 14 for the Bruins that he served as captain. The tallest player in NHL history led Boston to the Stanley Cup Finals three times and won the championship in 2011. Chara is the NHL's all-time leader in games played by a defenseman (1,652).

He retired in 2022 after signing a one-day contract with the Bruins to end his career as a member of the team. Chara is a six-time all-star and won the James Norris Memorial trophy as the best defenseman in the league in 2009.

Since his retirement from hockey, Chara has taken up running marathons. He'll be completing the 2024 Boston Marathon raising money to support the Hoyt Foundation, which raises money for young people with disabilities.

Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara greets a finisher at Saturday's Dick Hoyt Memorial Yes You Can road race in Hopkinton.
Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara greets a finisher at Saturday's Dick Hoyt Memorial Yes You Can road race in Hopkinton.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Zdeno Chara wishes Dover-Sherborn/Weston hockey luck in Final Four