The next Zdeno Chara is available at the 2022 draft

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Dorin Canaday
July 1, 2022 (2:45 PM)

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Boston Bruins fans are well aware of NHL veteran Zdeno Chara. He captained the team for 14 seasons and to three Stanley Cup Finals, winning one in 2011. The 45-year-old defenceman is still without a contract for next season, as all signs point to retirement after a legendary 24-year NHL career.

It's well-known that at 6'9", 'Big Z' is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL.

Perfect time for Jack Sparkes. Who is available in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has a chance to take over the 'tallest player crown' in the coming years, as Chara's career is coming to an inevitable end. The 18-year-old is 6' 8 1⁄4" and weighs 234 pounds, and is the number 127th ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.

The Toronto native collected 5 goals and 7 assists in 37 games with the St. Michaels Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The defenseman is also committed to Michigan State University for the upcoming years.

The scouting report on Jack Sparkes:

"He almost stands on par with Zdeno Chara, the NHL's greatest ice skaters. But Sparkes skates better than Chara, who has always been able to compensate for his restricted mobility with a great understanding of the game and impeccable positioning. You could even say that Sparkes is agile as a cat, which doesn't make sense considering his stature."

Sparkes said this about his own game at the NHL Draft Combine earlier this summer:

"The competitive side and physical part of the game comes naturally to me. I definitely think that's one of my strong suits, but in terms of skill, I'm always trying to work on my game."

Even though Sparkes gives Chara a run for his money for the tallest player in the NHL, he has a long way to go to reach even half the success that Big Z has had over his career.

Chara has skated in 1,680 NHL games (7th All-time) and has collected 680 points, one Norris Trophy for the league's top defenseman and one Stanley Cup.

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