7 Facts: Zdeno Chara

The New York Islanders
agreed to terms on a one-year contract
with defenseman Zdeno Chara on Saturday afternoon.
Chara has recorded 666 points (207G, 459A) over his 23-year NHL career. The ageless wonder really needs no introduction, but get to know the newest Islanders defenseman in the latest edition of 7 Facts.

2. HE'S A VETERAN, LEFT-HANDED DEFENSEMAN

Chara helps fill in the left side of the Islanders d-corps, giving the team a left-handed shot to help offset the departure of Nick Leddy back in July.
Chara also brings experience to the Islanders blue line, as the defenseman has 1,608 regular-season games under his belt, plus 200 additional playoff games.
Chara is the 13th player in league history to play 1,600 regular-season games and fifth defenseman. Chara played a full career in Boston alone, racking up 1,023 games with the Bruins, but also has logged 299 with the Ottawa Senators, 231 with the Islanders and 55 with the Washington Capitals, his most recent stop.
Chara's fitness has been the key to his longevity. Even at 44, Chara logged an average of 18:19 TOI/GP last season in Washington, including 2:41 SH TOI/GP.
Watch: Youtube Video

3. HE'S GOT ONE OF THE HARDEST SHOTS IN THE LEAGUE

The 6'9, 250 lbs. defenseman is known for having one of the hardest shots in the NHL. Chara clocked an NHL-record 108.8 mph slap shot at the 2012 Skills Competition, beating his previous record of 105.9 mph in 2011.
Martin Frk clocked a 109.2 mph slapper at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, but Chara's cannon still holds the NHL record.

4. HE'S A STANLEY CUP CHAMPION

Chara captained the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011, becoming the second European-born captain to lead a team to a Stanley Cup.
Chara also led the Bruins to Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2013 and 2019.

5. HE'S A FORMER CAPTAIN

Chara has worn a letter on his jersey for most of his illustrious career. The Trencin, Slovakia native captained the Boston Bruins for all 14 seasons he played there, was an alternate captain for two of his four years in Ottawa and for one year on Long Island.
He captained Slovakia at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2012 IIHF World Championships. Chara was an alternate captain for Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

6. HE'S HAD A DECORATED CAREER

In addition to a Stanley Cup, Chara has full trophy case. He won the Norris Trophy in 2009 as the NHL's best defenseman, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2011.
He is a six-time NHL All-Star (2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12) and recipient of the Golden Puck as Slovakia's Player of the Year three times (2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12).
Internationally, Chara has won a pair of silver medals (2000, 2012) at the IIHF World Championships.

7. HE'S THE TALLEST PLAYER IN NHL HISTORY

At 6'9, Chara owns the distinction of being the tallest player to ever lace up skates in the NHL.
That size, along with Chara's legendary strength, have allowed him to be a physical force on the blue line, as well as key his booming shot. Chara's also used that length to his advantage when it comes to dropping the gloves, which he has done 71 times during his 16-year career.