Zdeno Chara explains decision to sign with Islanders, play 24th NHL season
The New York Islanders signed veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara to a one-year deal on Saturday, and he addressed the media to discuss his decision to return for a 24th NHL season.
Chara, 44, told reporters, including Mollie Walker of the New York Post, that he's "honored and humbled" to return to the Islanders, who drafted him in 1996. He added that he "loves" the game and believes he can still play.
Chara added that other teams were interested in him, but he made the decision to sign with the Islanders after discussions with his family, per Walker.
The former Norris Trophy winner played for the Islanders from 1997-2001, tallying six goals and 23 assists in 231 games. When he announced his decision to return to New York, he posted a photo of himself to Instagram with one of his old Islanders jerseys.
The Islanders traded Chara to the Ottawa Senators in June 2001. He spent four seasons in Ottawa before signing with the Boston Bruins as a free agent in 2006.
Chara spent 14 years with the Bruins, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, the Norris trophy in 2009 and the Mark Messier trophy in 2011. He then signed with the Washington Capitals for the 2020-21 season, tallying two goals and eight assists in 55 games.
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