How does Zdeno Chara stack up against the Boston greats? DJ Bean shares his thoughts with Trenni Casey and Tom Giles on Arbella Early Edition
The Boston Bruins made one of their best moves in franchise history when they signed Zdeno Chara as a free agent in 2006.
Chara originally was drafted No. 56 overall by the New York Islanders in 1996. The 6-foot-9 defenseman played with the Islanders for four seasons and the Ottawa Senators for two years before signing his first contract with Boston, where he would establish himself as one of the organization's most iconic players.
After spending his last two seasons with the Washington Capitals and Islanders, Chara signed a one-day contract to retire a Bruin on Sept. 20, 2022. He called it a career at age 45.
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Get to know more about Chara, who will soon be immortalized in Boston with his No. 33 in the TD Garden rafters.
Zdeno Chara's bio
- Height: 6-foot-9
- Weight: 250 pounds
- Birthdate: March 18, 1977
- Birthplace: Trenčín, Czechoslovakia
- NHL experience: 24 years
- Jersey number: 33
Zdeno Chara's career stats and records
Here are some of Zdeno Chara's notable career achievements and statistics:
- 2011 Stanley Cup champion
- 2013 Stanley Cup runner-up
- Six-time All-Star (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
- NHL First All-Star Team (2004, 2009, 2014)
- NHL Second All-Star Team (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012)
- NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition Hardest Shot Winner (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
- NHL All-Star Skills Competition hardest shot record – 108.8 mph
- James Norris Memorial Trophy (2009)
- Mark Messier Leadership Award (2011)
- Eddie Shore Award (2012)
- Bruins Three Stars Awards (2009)
- John P. Bucyk Award (2008, 2019)
- NHL All-Decade Second Team (2010–2019)
- Tallest player in NHL history
- Most games played by a defenseman
- Oldest defenseman in NHL history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Finals – 42 years and 83 days
- Oldest defenseman in NHL history to score a game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs – 42 years and 30 days.
Career stats- 1,680 games
- 209 goals
- 471 assists
- 680 points
- 301 +/-
Zdeno Chara's contract info
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Chara signed a one-day contract to retire as a Boston Bruin on Sept. 20, 2022.
For his career, Chara earned approximately $100 million.
Zdeno Chara's international career
Chara represented Slovakia in the Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014) and the World Championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012). In those 10 international tournaments (82 total games), he tallied 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points.
Chara helped Slovakia to silver medals in the 2000 and 2012 World Championships. He was named to the IIHF All-Time Slovakia Team in 2020.
Meet Zdeno Chara's family
Chara is married to his long-time girlfriend Tatiana Biskupicová. They have a daughter, Elliz Victoria Cháraon, as well as twin boys, Zack and Ben. Chara's father, Zdeněk Chára, was a Greco-Roman wrestler.
Zdeno Chara videos
Bruins players reflect on relationship with Zdeno Chara
DJ Bean: Chara 'changed everything' for the Bruins
Zdeno Chara reflects on 2011 Stanley Cup victory as he retires from NHL
Zdeno Chara talks decision to officially retire from NHL with Bruins
Felger: Signing Zdeno Chara brought Bruins back from irrelevance in Boston