Feb. 24, 2022 - Zdeno Chara breaks the NHL record for most games played by a defenseman.
Chara suited up for his 1,652nd game when the Islanders took on San Jose Sharks at SAP Center, surpassing Chris Chelios for the record.
"I would like to start by thanking Chelios," Chara said of breaking the record. "He set such a high standard for many of us. I'm very grateful to have many great teammates, great coaches and trainers. And support from my wife and children."
This Day in Isles History: Feb. 24
Chara sets record for games played among defensemen
![TDIIH Zdeno Chara](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_png/prd/gxydywmbltaijtyyl7ln.png)
![](https://house-fastly-signed-us-east-1-prod.brightcovecdn.com/image/v1/static/6415718365001/74e86b66-cfe2-4737-a9fb-462418747de4/5a60a7e9-f1d8-4d60-b97a-95068df288cf/1280x720/match/image.jpg?fastly_token=Njk5NGVmNjVfN2VmMzQyZGY2NTQyMThkMzU4YWQxMWU5MzVkYjY3ZDJlZTdmMjFhYzlhYWU5MDliMDg2N2U3ZWFmMWZjMTYxOF9odHRwczovL2hvdXNlLWZhc3RseS1zaWduZWQtdXMtZWFzdC0xLXByb2QuYnJpZ2h0Y292ZWNkbi5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdjEvc3RhdGljLzY0MTU3MTgzNjUwMDEvNzRlODZiNjYtY2ZlMi00NzM3LWE5ZmItNDYyNDE4NzQ3ZGU0LzVhNjBhN2U5LWYxZDgtNGQ2MC1iOTdhLTk1MDY4ZGYyODhjZi8xMjgweDcyMC9tYXRjaC9pbWFnZS5qcGc%3D)
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Chara plays in 1,652nd game, sets record for defense
![](https://house-fastly-signed-us-east-1-prod.brightcovecdn.com/image/v1/static/6415718365001/64f24ea4-a80b-462e-bec0-1b1b95031409/53d56de2-17f1-4234-bdc9-decb126d6b6a/1280x720/match/image.jpg?fastly_token=Njk5NGVmNjVfOWIwMDU3YzQ0NzBjNWNkM2JhZTIwOTc2OTcyMDE1ZjQ0YTRlZDFhODE0ODMyOWFiOTBlZmI2NzUyOWE5MGY0OF9odHRwczovL2hvdXNlLWZhc3RseS1zaWduZWQtdXMtZWFzdC0xLXByb2QuYnJpZ2h0Y292ZWNkbi5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdjEvc3RhdGljLzY0MTU3MTgzNjUwMDEvNjRmMjRlYTQtYTgwYi00NjJlLWJlYzAtMWIxYjk1MDMxNDA5LzUzZDU2ZGUyLTE3ZjEtNDIzNC1iZGM5LWRlY2IxMjZkNmI2YS8xMjgweDcyMC9tYXRjaC9pbWFnZS5qcGc%3D)
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Islanders Congratulate Zdeno Chara on 1,652 Games