Chara not thinking retirement at 43: 'I still want to play'

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara isn't yet pondering retirement, even while the 2019-20 season is on pause.

"Definitely not getting ahead of myself. I'm still in the present and I still believe that we're going to play some sort of hockey this season," Chara said on Sportsnet's "After Hours."

He added: "That's where I'm at. I'm not getting too ahead of myself. Obviously I still love the game, I still love going out there and compete, and if everything is right I still want to play."

The 43-year-old Chara is in his 22nd NHL campaign and has spent the last 14 years with the Bruins. He's the only active player from the 1996 draft class and has appeared in 1,553 career games.

"Very honored and privileged to play 1,000 games with the Bruins, over 1,500 games in this league," Chara said. "I've said it many times, I'm very grateful and I'm very lucky to be able to play with so many great teammates and under so many great coaches and good organizations."

The former Norris Trophy winner has amassed 205 goals and 656 points throughout his career, which included stints with the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders. Chara also captured a Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 - one of three times he led the Bruins to the Cup Final as captain.

The veteran is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign. He signed back-to-back one-year deals with the Bruins for the past two seasons.