UNIONDALE, N.Y. — There are few players in history that have truly captivated the NHL as much as Zdeno Chara.
At 6-foot-9, 250-pound Chara is a rare physical specimen for any position, especially defenseman. His leadership abilities, bone-crushing hits and borderline psychotic facial expressions during fights are just small parts of what makes Boston’s captain one of the most unique players of all-time.
It all started on Long Island some twenty years ago.
The Islanders selected Chara in the third round — 56th overall — in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. But his tenure at Nassau Coliseum wasn’t always smooth sailing.