Zdeno Chára (born March 18, 1977) is an elite ice hockey defenceman playing for the Boston Bruins. At 6'9" (2.06 m), he is the tallest player ever to play in the National Hockey League. This is the reason for which teamates call him Big Z.
| Zdeno Chára | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Zdenochara.jpg | |||
| Born |
March 18, 1977 Trencin, CS | ||
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | ||
| Weight | 261 lb (118 kg; 18 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Defenseman | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Boston Bruins New York Islanders Ottawa Senators | ||
| NHL draft |
56th overall, 1996 New York Islanders | ||
| Playing career | 1997–present | ||
Chára was born in Trenčín, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). His father, Zdenek, was an Olympic wrestler. He was drafted 56th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He was a promising but not spectacular player in New York, showing physical prowess by leading the League in hits. During the 2001 draft, he was traded to the Senators as part of a package-deal with Bill Muckalt and the second overall pick (used to draft Jason Spezza) in exchange for disgruntled superstar Alexei Yashin.
Chára quickly became one of the core players on the Ottawa blueline constantly being number two in minutes played after Wade Redden. Over the last three seasons he has been one of the top plus in the league in terms of plus/minus. While not the best skater his reach and weight make him a formidable opponent. He is often placed in the slot, where it is extremely difficult for other players to move him.
In 2003 Chára made his first appearance at the NHL All-Star game, and in the skills competition recorded the second hardest shot after Al MacInnis.
In 2004 Chára was the runner-up to Scott Niedermayer for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the best defenceman of the season.
Chára has represented Slovakia in five World Championships as well as in one World Cup.
While Chára is best known as a defensive cog, he is also a good offensive defender. He has a great slap shot and is very effective on the power play. Chára is a tough defender and is known for protecting his goalie. He is also noted for his extraordinary strength.
Chára ended with the second highest +/- in the 2003-2004 season, only behind the Tampa Bay Lightning's Martin St. Louis and the Vancouver Canucks' Marek Malik, who were tied for first.
He had a career year in 2005-2006, posting personal bests in goals (16), points (43), and shots on goal (212).
On July 1, 2006, he signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Boston Bruins.
Besides playing for the Ottawa Senators and New York York Islanders of the NHL Chára has played on numerous other teams throughout his career. These include HK Dukla Trenčín and HK VTJ Piestany of the Slovak Extraliga, one game with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga, Prince George Cougars of the WHL, Kentucky Thoroughblades and Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL, and most recently during the NHL lock-out of the 2004-05 season he has played for Färjestads BK of the Swedish Elitserien who made it to the finals only to lose to Frölunda HC, whose best player was Chára's Senator captain Daniel Alfredsson.
According to an article from Sports Illustrated in 2003, Chara is said to be fluent in five languages: Slovak, Czech, Russian, German and English.
[Note: In addition to playing for HC Sparta Praha and HK Dukla Trenčín, he also played for both of their junior teams. A total of 39 games from the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons]
Note that his name is pronounced [xa:ra] in Slovak.