Zdeno Chára

Zdeno Chára, #3 (born March 18, 1977) is an elite ice hockey defenceman playing for the Ottawa Senators. At 6'9" (2.06 m), he is the tallest player ever to play in the National Hockey League.

Related Topics:
March 18 - 1977 - Ice hockey - Defenceman - Ottawa Senators - National Hockey League

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Chára was born in Tren?ín, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). His father was an Olympic wrestler. He was drafted 56th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1996 NHL entry draft. He was a promising but not spectacular player in New York. During the 2001 draft, he was traded to the Senators as part of a package-deal with Bill Muckalt and the second overall pick (used to draft Jason Spezza) in exchange for disgruntled superstar Alexei Yashin.

Related Topics:
Tren?ín - Czechoslovakia - Slovakia - New York Islanders - 1996 NHL entry draft - 2001 draft - Bill Muckalt - Jason Spezza - Alexei Yashin

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Chára quickly became one of the core players on the Ottawa blueline constantly being number two in minutes played after Wade Redden. Over the last three seasons he has been one of the top plus in the league in terms of plus/minus. While not the best skater his reach and weight make him a formidable opponent. He is often placed in the slot, where it is extremely difficult for other players to move him.

Related Topics:
Wade Redden - Plus/minus - Slot

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In 2003 Chára made his first appearance at the NHL All-Star game, and in the skills competition recorded the second hardest shot after Al MacInnis.

Related Topics:
2003 - NHL All-Star game - Al MacInnis

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In 2004 Chára was the runner-up to Scott Niedermayer for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the best defenceman of the season.

Related Topics:
2004 - Scott Niedermayer - James Norris Memorial Trophy

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Chára has represented Slovakia in five World Championships as well as in one World Cup.

Related Topics:
World Championships - World Cup

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Besides playing for the Ottawa Senators and New York York Islanders of the NHL Chára has played on numerous other teams throughout his career. These include HK Dukla Tren?ín and HK VTJ Piestany of the Slovakian Extraliga, one game with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga, Prince George Cougars of the WHL, Kentucky Thoroughblades and Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL, and most recently during the NHL lock-out of the 2004-05 season he has played for Färjestads BK of the Swedish Elitserien who made it to the finals only to lose to Frölunda HC whose best player was Chára's Senator captain Daniel Alfredsson.

Related Topics:
Czech Extraliga - Prince George Cougars - WHL - Lowell Lock Monsters - AHL - 2004-05 season - Färjestads BK - Elitserien - Daniel Alfredsson

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Note that his name is pronounced in Slovak.

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