Among the current sports pantheon in Boston, only TB12 compares.

He took the ice at Warrior Ice Arena’s Tuesday morning practice – for the beginning of his 21st NHL season; 12th in Black and Gold.

Like Tom Brady, also at the ripe age of 40.

The Bruins’ media stat of the week to put a career in perspective? “Zdeno Chara made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on November 19, 1997. The game took place 32 days prior to the birth of current teammate, Charlie McAvoy, born December 21, 1997.”

Taken at No. 56 overall by the Islanders in 1996, Chara played eight seasons with the Isles and Senators before signing as a free agent with the B’s. On July 1, 2006, the Bruins inked him to a 5-year 37.5 million dollar deal, while immediately pasting the ‘C’ to Zee’s jersey. He is now the longest-tenured captain in the NHL.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Chara is also the tallest player in NHL history. The Trencin, Slovakia, native owns a career 1,350 regular-season games with 188 goals and 416 assists for 604 points. To that, add 147 playoff games with a 15-44-59 tally. And then eight World Cups and three Olympics for 76 more games in international play.

In Chara’s 11 seasons on Causeway Street, he’s played in 820 games. His best stat season: 2011-12 with 12-40-52 in 79 games.

Zee’s best individual season: 2008-09 when he copped the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.

His best team season: 2011 when he paraded Lord Stanley through the streets of Boston for the first time in 39 years.

Team owner Jeremy Jacobs has invested some 80 million of his Delaware North dollars in Chara. What’s his opinion of that return on investment?

“Zee has been a real killer here,” the senior Jacobs said at Tuesday’s media meeting of the team brass. “His physicality and his endurance, the time he spends on the ice. He’s been a tremendous investment, but his personality and his character goes a long way to establish what this team is.”

No. 33 – reminded of another Boston icon? – enters the 2017-18 season with his lowest salary on the Bruins’ books at a modest $4 million for a No. 1 defenseman – and no bonuses. He becomes an unrestricted free agent after the last game of this season – if the Bruins do not resign him to another contract.

Chris Chelios played 26 seasons before retiring at age 48 in 2010.

Is Chara charting that course? Coach Bruce Cassidy and GM Don Sweeney seem to concur.

“He embodies the hard to play against identity we are trying to create and continue to build on,” Cassidy said about his captain. “He just pulls guys along. It’s what you want out of leadership. Off ice, one of the most professional people I’ve ever been around. Again, the culture and identity of fitness trickles down to the rest of the guys as well.”

“I had discussions with Zdeno,” Sweeney said about the future, “and he’s made it well known that he would like to continue to play. I think he’s earned the right to determine that and when his career will end. As long as his game aligns with the pride and preparations that he wants to put forth to keep it at the level he’s accustomed to having it to, then we are going to explore having him as part of our group. He’s an impactful player.”

It’s that fitness and preparation – like Brady – that keeps Zee at the top of his NHL game.

And beyond.

Chara averages some 25 minutes a game when most NHL defensemen barely handle 20. And has redefined the terms “changing on the fly,” and wake-up calls.”

For Chara, energy is a 24-hour asset. With 19-month-old twins, he was asked which takes more energy: playing 30 OT playoff minutes or handling those 3 a.m. innocent voices from the next room?

“I enjoy both of those situations,” he said. “As much as I love playing hockey, I love my family more. They are both very special.”

That family now extends across the Bruins’ roster and beyond the Hub of Hockey.

“Yeah 12 years,” he mused, “some big changes; a lot of positives. Obviously winning the Stanley Cup is tops. I don’t want to put a number on it. For sure, I want to continue to play beyond this season and still be effective by taking care of my body.”

“It’s pretty impressive what he’s been able to do at the level for such a long period of time,” Patrice Bergeron said as the only current Bruin with a longer history in Boston. “He’s a huge part of our team.”

“So much to say about that guy; he doesn’t get enough credit,” Kevan Miller said about Chara’s major influences. “On the ice, he’s the ultimate competitor. Off the ice, the ultimate in conditioning and how he carries himself.”

Two newcomers to the Bruins revamped blue line are glad Chara is on the same bench.

“I learned so much from him last year,” Brandon Carlo said as Chara’s partner and mentee last season. “He has as much experience as I do age. There was a comfort level that came with each game. He gave me the comfort to grow my game at both ends of the ice.”

“I try to pull from him,” McAvoy said. “You don’t go 20 years in this league without playing a certain style of game. Obviously part of a very elite group of guys who played to that age while the game is getting faster and more skilled every day. For him to go out and be one of the best players on the ice every night, I’m kind of in awe. It’s awesome to have that kind of guy on your team.”

One guy who sees more of Chara than any other is Tuukka Rask.

“He’s been around for a long, long time,” Rask said, “and shows no signs of slowing down.”

“I love everything about the game,” Chara said, “and still have a lot of passion so hopefully I’ll stay.”

Count on it.