NHL Notes: Zdeno Chara's stick collection now includes Connor McDavid

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara has a massive collection of signed hockey sticks tucked away in one corner of his house. He was pretty excited to add to it this week when former teammate and current Edmonton Oilers alternate captain Milan Lucic helped Chara land a Connor McDavid signed stick.

The Bruins hosted the Oilers on Nov. 26 and Chara made sure to land a piece of No. 97 memorabilia.

“It came up before the game. They were asking for some of our sticks, so I thought it would be nice to have his stick,” Chara said. “I’ve been collecting for years now. I have close to 200 sticks at home. Players that I enjoy playing against, or admired the way they’ve played, it doesn’t always have to be a goal scorer, or a guy who has 1,000 points or 500 goals. Sometimes I ask guys who have only been in the league for a few years and just work hard and I like the way they play.”

NHL players collecting sticks is a popular practice. Chara doesn’t remember the first one he collected, but he started the collection when he played for the Islanders. He doesn’t have a special trophy room for the pieces of composite, and they’re not hanging on the wall.

“As soon as I get them I just add it to the pile,” Chara said with a laugh. “It’s starting to take up a lot of room. I have sticks from the early 90s, and from guys like Wayne, Mario and even Gordie Howe. Yeah, a lot of sticks.”

Chara’s a historian of the game and he understands the significance and impact McDavid will have on this game.

“It’s pretty obvious he’s very skilled and talented player,” Chara said. “He has unique skills. Unless you play against him, it’s hard to notice some of his skills. The stuff you see on TV and highlight reels, you can notice things, but then I notice very specific things on the ice, the way he can get through traffic, the way he can get away from being hit – just the little things that make you go, ‘Wow. That was special.’

“To me, he has two things that are super unique,” admitted Chara. “His ability to glide. He glides faster than some guys skate. And, his ability to get through traffic is special. He gets through amazingly without being off balance.”

How do you stop him?

“You’ve got to get him at the right time, otherwise he’s going to find a way to sneak by you,” Chara said. “He’s just an amazing athlete and I have his stick.”

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After the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, Boston coach Bruce Cassidy was a bit concerned that rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy logged 28:11 of ice time. The coach understands that the 19-year-old can handle that workload, but Cassidy said he would talk with assistant coach Kevin Dean and try to figure out a better way to utilize McAvoy’s minutes. Until Saturday’s game, McAvoy had played more than 25 minutes in four of the previous six games. On Saturday, he finished with 20:53.

Chara, 40, knows exactly what it takes to log that type of ice time. He’s done it for the majority of his career. Even now, he’s averaging 25 minutes per game.

“Well, No. 1 it’s got to be conditioning,” Chara said. “You have to be able to handle those minutes, handle those situations and his abilities to make the right plays and be in the right positions. He’s obviously a strong skater. He’s earning those minutes, so great for him. It’s great to see you have a young player like that already having such an impact on the game.”

It also helps when the Bruins are receiving contributions from others in the lineup, at both ends of the ice, that won’t force McAvoy to play as much.

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It’s that time of the season when the Bruins take their dads on a road trip. The fathers were sporting their sons’ sweaters during Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. They travel with the team and the next stop is Nashville for Monday’s game against the Predators.

“It’s good,” said Danton Heinen, of the trip with his father, Rick. “So far, so good. They’re all pretty excited to be here and we all love having them around. Hopefully, we put on a good performance for them and get them a win.”

John Grzelcyk, the longtime member of the Garden’s Bull Gang, is Matt’s father and after Saturday’s game said it’s been a blast so far.

“He’s all excited,” Grzelcyk said. “He’s really happy (the organization) gave him the call.”

Chara was asked if it’s easier with the moms or dads on the annual trip.

“I don’t know,” he said with a smile. “It seems like the fathers are a little more easier to leave alone.”

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It was 100 years ago when Boston and Halifax, Nova Scotia became eternally connected. On Dec. 6, 1917, a massive maritime explosion claimed the lives of 2,000 people. Boston was the first to respond and sent doctors, nurses and supplies to Halifax. The people of Nova Scotia were so thankful, they sent a white spruce Christmas tree to Boston and the tradition continues to this day. Every December the tree stands in Boston Common.

Bruins forward Brad Marchand is a native of Halifax, along with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and both have extensive knowledge of the relationship between their hometown and Boston.

“It’s a big thing back home,” Marchand said. “We learn about it in school. It’s impressive it’s been (100 years). The explosion is a big part of history back home. Growing up, even before playing for the Bruins, I always knew our city had a connection with Boston. The cities are pretty close and there’s a lot of history there. It definitely makes playing here that much more special.”

Given his busy work schedule, Marchand doesn’t get to see the tree too often, but he has been to the lighting in the past.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “To have the opportunity to be part of it on this side is pretty cool.”