Boston opens its season Thursday in New Jersey with a solid mix of experience and youth.

Willie O’Ree broke the barrier in 1958, became a Diversity Amabassador for the NHL in 1998 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018.

Patrice Bergeron is named the 20th captain in team history, taking over for Zdeno Chara who held the title for 15 season and is now playing in Washington.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will get his chance for an expanded role with Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara no longer with the Bruins.

Brad Marchand is recovering from a long overdue hernia surgery and hopes to play when Boston opens its season in New Jersey on Jan. 14.

Captain Zdeno Chara is gone and so is Torey Krug, and Boston will need a solid mix of veteran leadership and younger players stepping up.

After the departures of Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug, 24-year-old Brandon Carlo will be thrust into a leadership role.

Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara has signed with the Washington Capitals

Boston will not play its first home game this season until Jan. 21 against Philadelphia.

Zdeno Chara, 43, is a free agent, and the Bruins haven’t committed to bringing back their captain.