Zdeno Chara had hoped his barking left shoulder would heal on its own. But because of concern the injury might flare up next season, the Bruins' captain underwent surgery Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital to repair a torn labrum. Team orthopedist Thomas Gill performed the procedure, which was deemed successful.
Chara is expected to be available for training camp. He usually travels to one of his offseason homes in Florida upon the conclusion of each season, but instead will remain in Boston for rehabilitation and therapy. Chara is cleared for lower-body workouts, but will not be able to perform weightlifting exercises that involve his shoulder for some time.
"The rest is not going to hurt him," said Matt Keator, Chara's agent.
Chara had planned to travel to Mozambique in late June as an athlete-ambassador for Right to Play, the Toronto-based humanitarian organization. He was then scheduled to travel to Tanzania and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Whether Chara can fulfill both commitments will depend on how his shoulder progresses.
Chara suffered the injury March 8 while missing a one-timer in the second period against Washington. He sat out the next five games, then returned to play every remaining game.
Fellow Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman is scheduled to undergo groin surgery next week.
FLUTO SHINZAWA
