Nobody who knew Zdeno Chara could have been surprised by the longtime Bruins captain’s speech when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Throughout his NHL career, Chara has been defined by being a straightforward, serious and sincere man, whose play was similarly unvarnished.

His speech reflected that.

After being presented by his idol, Nicklas Lidström, Chara thanked a long run of people who helped the tallest player in hockey history reach unprecedented heights.

The largest section of his speech was about his time in Boston. That’s where he spent 14 seasons, the longest stretch of his career. It’s where he won the 2011 Stanley Cup and the Norris Trophy.

It’s where he works now in the Bruins front office.

But most of all, it’s where he helped create the

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