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Zdeno Chára is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals between 1997 and 2022. Standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) tall, Chára is the tallest person ever to play in the NHL,[1] earning him the nickname "Big Z".
 

Chára served as the Bruins' captain for all of his fourteen seasons with the franchise, from 2006 to 2020. He won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman in 2009, becoming the first Slovak player to do so, and the second European player after Nicklas Lidström. In 2011, 2013 and 2019 Chára captained the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning in 2011. He is one of four European-born and raised captains to lead his team to the Stanley Cup championship, and the first to be born and trained in the Eastern Bloc. In 2022, Chára played in his 1,652nd NHL game, making him the league's all-time leader in games played by a defenseman.

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NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

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• AHL All-Rookie Team (1998)

• NHL First All-Star Team (2004, 2009, 2014)

• NHL Second All-Star Team (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012)

• Played in NHL All-Star Game (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)

• Traded to Ottawa by NY Islanders with Bill Muckalt and NY Islanders' 1st round pick (Jason Spezza) in 2001 NHL Draft for Alexei Yashin, June 23, 2001.

• Signed as a free agent by Farjestad (Sweden), September 24, 2004.

• Signed as a free agent by Boston, July 1, 2006.

• Signed as a free agent by Lev Praha (KHL), October 2, 2012.