Former NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara was one of eight individuals elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday afternoon.
Chara was joined in the 2025 HHOF class by former NHL players Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, and two former women’s players, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker. Former Boston University coach Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageauas, a former Canadian women’s hockey coach, general manager, and coaching consultant, were part of this year’s Builders Category. Chara, Keith, and Thornton were all elected in their first year of eligibility.
Chara, nicknamed Big Zee during his career, played 25 seasons in the NHL from 1997 through 2022, suiting up for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals. Chara took home the Norris Trophy in 2009 — he was also a six-time finalist during his career — and won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. He played in the most games ever by a defenseman in NHL history, 1,680, and the third most overall.
“Zee is a superb human being in so many ways,” Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs said per NHL.com. “Not only in size and skill, but also in his thoughtfulness and the respect he commands. It’s no surprise that he was selected in his first year of eligibility, because he’s truly special. The Bruins were fortunate to get him and raise the Cup with him.”
Not only is Chara one of the toughest and most rugged players in NHL history, but he was also unique. Towering over his teammates and competitors, the six-foot-nine rearguard stood 7 feet tall on skates. He is the tallest player in NHL history.
“Zdeno put forth an unparalleled combination of size, strength, and ability each time he took the ice,” Cam Neely, a Hockey Hall of Fame player who now serves as the Bruins president, added. “He kept opponents on notice with his commanding physicality and set the tone for his teammates with a stout defensive acumen, all while having the power at any given time to unleash one of the hardest shots ever recorded. His legendary leadership qualities were also continually on display, particularly when it came to his renowned off-ice conditioning which set a standard for all players to follow. To put it simply, Zdeno’s skill set stands among the most unique in the century-plus history of the National Hockey League, making him enormously worthy of enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame where he will be remembered forever as one of the very best to play our sport.”
Chara won the NHL’s Hardest Shot Competition in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012, and owns the hardest shot of all-time with a 108.8 mph slap shot in 2012.
Chara, who averaged 23:33 of ice time per game, posted 680 points (209 goals, 471 assists) in his 1,680 games played. From the backend, Chara scored double digits in goals in 10 different seasons, scoring a career high 19 times in 2008-09 for the Bruins. He posted a career high 51 points (17g, 34a) during the 2007-08 season.
Chara eventually formed a big rivalry with Alex Ovechkin midway through his career, as the top-pairing defenseman was frequently tasked with shutting down the NHL’s greatest goal-scorers in games. The Caps-Bruins matchups were at times electric and featured both players doling out big hits on each other. Chara’s long reach at times could frustrate Ovechkin, though the Russian sniper has still scored 30 different times against Boston in his career.
Chara and Ovechkin eventually joined forces in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season when the then 43-year-old defender signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals. Chara moved on from the Bruins, believing his playing time would be cut.
“Obviously, you know if someone tell me two or three years ago I’m gonna play with (Henrik) Lundqvist on one team and (Zdeno) Chara on another team, I would say, ‘Are you guys crazy?’” Ovechkin said.
He added, “I’m looking forward to see him, talk to him, play with him. Obviously, he’s a legend and it’s great for our team.”
Chara notched 10 points (2g, 8a) in 55 games with the Caps, instantly becoming one of the team leaders and most beloved players. His first goal as a Capital spurred a wild celebration at the bench.
He also set the new NHL record (which he broke again five times later) as the oldest player to ever get in a fight when he dropped the gloves with Matt Martin on April 1, 2021.
“When you see him walk around, you see him in the gym, there’s just this feeling he puts off,” Tom Wilson said. “This vibe he puts off that just makes everyone around him better. He’s an amazing leader. Watching him in there putting in work is surreal sometimes, how strong he is. Just honestly, when he’s picking up weights, that should be heavy, they don’t look heavy. It’s a lot of fun to be around. I’ve found myself getting better just being around him, working out with him, preparing with him. He demands that from his teammates.”
A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Chara would play only one more season after his year with the Caps, suiting up in 72 games for the New York Islanders during the 2021-22 season. He would retire at the end of that year, signing a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins.
“After 25 seasons of professional hockey 1,680 NHL regular season games, 200 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and hundreds of international games I am proud to announce my decision to retire from the National Hockey League,” Chara wrote. “In doing so, I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family. There are so many people that have helped contribute to my success, including all of you, and I look forward to properly thanking everyone this afternoon.”
Now a competitive runner, Chara has competed in the Boston and New York Marathons over the last several years. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in May.
The most notable surprise of this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame class was Alexander Mogilny, who got in after his 17th year of eligibility. During the 1992-93 season, Mogilny scored 76 goals in 77 games for the Buffalo Sabres. He’d post 1,032 total points (473g, 559a) in 16 seasons, suiting up with Buffalo, the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He became a Stanley Cup champion in 2000 as a member of the Devils.
Per the NHL, to be elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame:
Candidates had to receive at least 75 percent of the vote from the selection committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A maximum of four retired male players, two retired female players, two builders or one builder and one retired official may be inducted in a single year.
Former Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby was eligible this year for the first time in his career.
