Big. Steady. A forward’s worst nightmare. A relentless devourer of minutes. A coach’s dream. Zdeno Chára was truly one of a kind. As of this recording, he remains the tallest player ever to lace up skates in the greatest hockey league in the world. His career is gilded with accolades: a Norris Trophy, a leadership award, and the ultimate prize—a Stanley Cup championship. And, truth be told, he could have earned even more.
Though he racked up an imposing number of penalty minutes,I believe he was the active leader at the time of his retirement, make no mistake—Chára was no dirty player. As you’ll see here, he was the epitome of a dominating, allaround defenseman. Known for his physical strength, a blistering slap shot, and an unyielding, aggressive style of play, Chára commanded the ice in a way few others ever have. At times it seemed like the big fella didn’t understand just how big he really was and the kind of devastation he could cause. But above all, Chára was a true leader—the heart of the locker room and a mentor to countless teammates. A force of nature, a marvel of the game, he was—and always will be—Big Z. Zdeno Chára, the tallest titan to ever grace the NHL. #zdenochara #chara #nhl #bostonbruins #bruins #hockey #slovakia