Prior to joining Washington for the 2020-21 season, Chara served as the captain of the Boston Bruins for 14 seasons. Among active NHL players, Chara ranks first in plus/minus (+293), penalty minutes (2,000) and second in games played (1,608). His 481 points with the Bruins (148 goals, 333 assists) ranks third among defensemen in Boston team history, behind Hall of Famers Ray Bourque (1,506) and Bobby Orr (888). He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in 2008-09 after recording a career-high 19 goals and 31 assists in 80 games with Boston. He was the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2010-11 for his exemplary leadership both on and off the ice. 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).
Chara won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011, becoming the second European-born captain to win the Stanley Cup (Nicklas Lidstrom) and the first and currently only from Slovakia. Chara has recorded 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) in 200 career playoff games, the most games played among active defensemen.
Chara has represented Slovakia in international play on several occasions, including three Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014). He served as alternate captain for Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, scoring two goals in six games to help the team to a second-place finish at the tournament.
