7 interesting facts about ex-Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara
Taking a look at seven interesting facts about former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.
When you think of former NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara, one word probably comes to mind: "big." From his towering frame to his impact on the team and community, everything about Chara is larger-than-life.
With that in mind, here's a list of seven facts about Chara every hockey fan should know.
Chara is Huge
Chara stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 250 pounds, making him one of the biggest players ever in the NHL. His size alone was intimidating, and he used it to his advantage on the ice. He was known for being strong, powerful, and hard to play against.
He Started With the Islanders
Chara's career began with the New York Islanders, who picked him 56th overall in the 1996 NHL Draft. He played four seasons with them, recording six goals and 28 points in 231 games. Many fans may associate Chara with Boston, but he spent significant time in Ottawa as well.
Chara Was Part of a Big Trade
In a memorable 2001 trade, the Islanders sent Chara, Bill Muckalt, and a draft pick (used to select Jason Spezza) to the Ottawa Senators for Alexei Yashin. Yashin performed well for the Islanders, but Chara thrived with the Senators and later became a Bruins legend.
Chara Made European Hockey History
When he captained the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011, Chara became just the second European-born player to lead an NHL team to a championship. Only Niklas Lidstrom had done it before, with Alex Ovechkin and Gabriel Landeskog following later.
He Speaks Seven Languages
In addition to being a talented hockey player, Chara is fluent in Slovak, Czech, Polish, Russian, German, Swedish, and English. His language skills reflect his dedication to learning, which he has carried beyond hockey.
Chara Holds a Real Estate License
When he was sidelined with a knee injury in 2014, Chara used his time to earn a real estate license. Ever the learner, he kept his options open for the future, though he likely won't need another career after his retirement.
Chara's Instagram Offers a Personal Glimpse
Chara joined Instagram and quickly won over fans with heartwarming posts featuring his family, teammates, and personal reflections. His posts are simple and genuine, showing a side of the big defenseman that fans rarely saw during his intense career.
Each of these highlights captures a piece of Chara's remarkable journey-from his size and skill to his curiosity and charm, there's no one quite like him in the world of hockey.
