1
He is the tallest person ever to play in the National Hockey League.
15 Interesting Facts About Zdeno Chára
Zdeno Chára, the tallest player in NHL history, was a dominant defenceman who captained the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup and holds the record for most games played by an NHL blueliner.
Position
Defence
Jersey
#33
Status
Retired
Teams
12
Facts
15
2
He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenceman in 2009.
3
He captained his team to a Stanley Cup championship in 2011.
4
He holds the NHL All-Star Skills Competition record for the hardest shot at 108.8 mph.
5
He is the league's all-time leader in games played by a defenceman.
6
He was the captain of the Boston Bruins for all of his fourteen seasons with the franchise.
7
He played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League.
8
He was drafted 56th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1996 NHL entry draft.
9
He is a polyglot, speaking six languages in addition to his native Slovak.
10
He became the oldest defenceman in NHL history to score a game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
11
He achieved his first career hat-trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in a 7–0 victory.
12
He was the second to last active NHL player to play in the 1990s behind Joe Thornton.
13
His coaches in native Slovakia attempted to persuade him to play basketball due to his exceptional height.
14
He received a waiver from the NHL to use 67-inch sticks, which are four inches longer than standard regulations.
15
He was awarded the Order of Ľudovít Štúr 2nd Class, Slovakia's second-highest state honor, in 2021.
About Zdeno Chára
Zdeno Chára is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman, renowned as the tallest player in NHL history. A Stanley Cup champion captain with the Boston Bruins and a Norris Trophy winner, he holds the record for most games played by an NHL defenceman. Known for his powerful slap shot and intimidating physical presence, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.
Career Achievements & Milestones
✓
Stanley Cup Champion
2011
✓
James Norris Memorial Trophy
2009
✓
Tallest player in NHL history
✓
NHL all-time leader in games played by a defenceman
2022
✓
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
2025
Player Information & Stats
Detailed career statistics and background information about Zdeno Chára.
Player Info
Country: Slovakia
Position: Defence
Jersey #: 33
Status: Retired
Age: 48 years old
Physical Stats
Height: 6' 9" (206 cm)
Weight: 256 lbs (116 kg)
Born: Trenčín, Slovakia
Career Stats
Seasons: 24
Goals: 209
Assists: 471
Points: 680
Teams: 12
Drafted: 1996
Round: 3rd
Hall of Fame: ✓ Inducted
Teams & Career
Boston Bruins Dukla Trenčín Färjestad BK Kentucky Thoroughblades Lev Praha Lowell Lock Monsters New York Islanders Ottawa Senators Prince George Cougars Sparta Praha Washington Capitals ŠHK 37 Piešťany
Zdeno Chára played for 12 different teams during his 24 seasons career. He was originally drafted 3rd overall by the New York Islanders in 1996.