When the Boston Bruins are firing on all-cylinders, you can bet that Zdeno Chara, their captain, is playing a huge role in all the success they are experiencing. The hulking, 6’9” defenceman from Slovakia is the face of the modern Bruins franchise, a superstar in the hockey world and a fierce competitor on the ice. Recently, the Bruins have ascended to the top of the Northeast Division, thanks in no small part to the play of Chara. The 2008-09 Norris Trophy winner has been his steady defensive self, but has also been showing up on the offensive side of the scoresheet in recent games. With five points in the last three games, Chara has helped the Bruins continue their winning ways, punctuated by his first career hat-trick in a 7-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. As the season approaches the All-Star break and is recently past the halfway point, it is obvious that ‘Big-Z’ will once again play a huge role in the Bruins push towards their ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup.

• Zdeno has five points in the past three games, with two of them being Bruins victories
• He scored his first career hat-trick, and became the fourth Bruins defenceman to accomplish such a feat, in a 7-0 romp over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday; following his third goal of the game he celebrated the hat-trick in unique fashion by paying homage to a celebration he had seen before from fellow Slovak Peter Bondra
• He scored his first career hat-trick, and became the fourth Bruins defenceman to accomplish such a feat, in a 7-0 romp over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday; following his third goal of the game he celebrated the hat-trick in unique fashion by paying homage to a celebration he had seen before from fellow Slovak Peter Bondra

BIOGRAPHY:

• Born in Trencin, Czech (now Slovakia) on March 18, 1977
• Drafted by the New York Islanders in the 3rd round, 56th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft
• The winner of the 2008-09 James Norris Memorial Trophy for the best defenceman in the NHL
• Has represented Slovakia in several international competitions, including the World Championships, World Cup, and twice in the Olympics (2006 & 2010)
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team twice (2003-04 & 2008-09)