Zdeno Chára
Zdeno Chára (born March 18, 1977 in Trenčín, Czechoslovakia) is a former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played a total of 24 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals. He served as the captain of the Bruins from 2006 until 2020.[1] Chára played hockey in the WHL for 1 season with the Prince George Cougars. He is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL, measuring in at 6 ft 9 (2.06 m).
Zdeno Chára | |
---|---|
Born | Trenčín, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic | 18 March 1977
Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Weight | 250 lb (110 kg; 17 st 12 lb) |
Position | Defense |
Shot | Left |
Played for | NHL: New York Islanders Ottawa Senators Boston Bruins Washington Capitals ELH: Sparta Praha SVK: Dukla Trenčín SEL: Färjestad BK KHL: Lev Praha |
National team | Slovakia |
NHL Draft | 56th overall, 1996 New York Islanders |
Playing career | 1996–2022 |
On March 8, 2011, He was involved in an on-ice incident when he hit Montreal Canadiens player Max Pacioretty into the stanchion at the end of the bench in the boards. Pacioretty had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher and he suffered a severe concussion and a non-displaced fracture to the 4th vertebra. Chara received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. The NHL VP of hockey operations Mike Murphy decided that no further punishment was going to be warranted. Despite this a criminal investigation was announced by the Montreal police[2]
On September 20, 2022, Chára announced that he was retiring from professional hockey. He retired as a member of the Bruins after signing a one-day contract with them.[3]
Chára is married to his wife Tatiana Biskupicová and they have one daughter named Elliz Victoria Chára.
Awards
- He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2003, 2007, 2008 (starter), 2009, 2011, and 2012. Chára was also one of the team captains in the 2012 game.
- He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2004 and 2009.
- He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2006 and 2008.
- He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2009.
- He won the Hardest Shot competition at the NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 where he set a record of 105.9 mph (170.4 km/hr).
- He won the NHL Plus-Minus Award in 2011 with a +33 rating.
- He won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
Zdeno Chára Media
Chára during his tenure with the Ottawa Senators in 2006
Chára (left), head coach Dave Lewis (center) and Phil Kessel (right) on Columbus Day with the crew of the USS Doyle, 2006.
Chára in December 2012 while with Lev Praha of the KHL during the 2012–13 NHL lockout
Chára hoisting the Stanley Cup during the Bruins' 2011 victory parade
References
Other websites
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database