Defenseman Zdeno Chara, who played the past season with the Capitals, is returning to the city where his professional hockey career began, as he signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders on Saturday, the team announced in a press release.
The Islanders drafted Chara in the third round of the 1996 NHL Draft. The left-handed shooter remained in New York until 2001 when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. Chara then spent 14 seasons with the Boston Bruins.
Last season in Washington, “Big Zee” recorded two goals, eight assists and ten points, and spent the majority of the season playing on the third-pairing with Nick Jensen and helped provide a veteran presence on the Capitals’ defense and penalty-killing unit.
Chara, who is 6-foot-9, 250-pounds, served as the Bruins’ captain for 14 seasons and helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup in 2011 and two other Cup appearances, in 2013 and 2019. He recorded 148 goals, 33 assists and 481 points with Boston. The 44-year-old is a proud recipient of the Norris Trophy (2008-2009), the Mark Messier Leadership Award (2010-2011), and the Golden Puck as Slovakia’s Player of the Year (2008-2009, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Chara leads active NHL players with plus/minus (+293) and 2000 penalty minutes. He also ranks second for games played, having appeared in 1,608 games.
Chara eagerly awaits to join the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference rival, as he proudly posed with his former jersey on Instagram, writing, “I had to get some dust off them, but sure they still looking good!”
Let’s also note that he’ll likely be teammates with Matt Martin, someone who he has fought four times.
