Lesedauer: ca. 1 Minute
The Slovak Zdeno Chara agrees with the New York Islanders on a one-year contract and thus returns to his first NHL club, which selected him in the 1996 draft.
The New York Islanders announced yesterday Saturday the signing of 44-year-old Zdeno Chara with a contract term of one year. The 2.05 meter tall Slovak is returning to his roots, as the Islanders selected him in the 1996 draft and he already completed his first four NHL seasons there from 1997 to 2001. “We come full circle,” said Chara. “Who would have thought that this would happen after more than 20 years. I’m proud to be an islander again. ”Last season the defender was on the ice for the Washington Capitals, collected ten scorer points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 55 games and received an average of almost 18 minutes. In the subsequent playoffs he remained without a point and failed in the first round with the caps at his new employer. Chara spent most of his career in the jersey of the Boston Bruins (2006 to 2020), where he held the captaincy for years and led to the 2011 Stanley Cup triumph. In 1,608 games for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, he posted 666 points (207 goals, 459 assists). In addition, he was on the ice in 200 playoff games and contributed 70 points scorer (18 goals, 52 assist). In the 2008-09 season, Chara was awarded the Norris Trophy for best NHL defender. The oldest and greatest active NHL player gives the ambitious Islanders more depth on the defensive. In addition, with his experience and presence, he could be the decisive piece of the puzzle in the battle for the Stanley Cup, after the last two seasons in the semifinals.
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