Longtime Bruins captain Chara leaves for Capitals

WASHINGTON» Longtime Boston captain Zdeno Chara signed with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, saying his former team had decided to move on from the towering defenseman who helped the Bruins climb back into the top echelon of the NHL and win the Stanley Cup in 2011.

The stunning move — Chara agred to a one-year contract worth just $795,000 — came less than a week before most teams open training camp. The Bruins haven’t opened camp without Chara since 2005, the first season after a yearlong lockout.

“The Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players, and I respect their decision,” Chara posted on Instagram. “Unfortunately, my time as the proud captain of the Bruins has come to an end.”

Chara, 43, helped the Bruins reach the final in 2013 and 2019 along with the 2011 championship run. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defensemen in 2009.

“I’m proud that we were able to return the Stanley Cup to Boston,” Chara said in his post thanking the Bruins and their fans. “I am grateful and proud of everything we accomplished.”

Chara was just the second European captain to win the Cup and will be teamed with Russian star Alex Ovechkin, who became the third when Washington earned its first franchise title in 2018.

Coyotes sign Brassard

GLENDALE, ARIZ. » The Arizona Coyotes have signed veteran forward Derick Brassard to a one-year contract.

Brassard, 33, had 10 goals and 22 assists in 66 games with the Islanders in 2019-20. Brassard has six 40-point seasons during his 13-year NHL career, including a career-high 60 with the Rangers in 2014-15. He had a career-high 27 goals with the Rangers a year later.

Finland beats Slovakia

EDMONTON, ALBERTA » Samuel Helenius scored twice, Kari Piiroinen made 12 saves and Finland beat Slovakia 6-0 to improve to 3-0 in group play in the world junior hockey championship.

Finland set up a showdown with defending champion Canada, also 3-0, on Thursday night for first place in Group A.