Big Deal...

Zdeno Chara
2010-11 Upper Deck Artifacts #97

Hard to believe that big Zdeno Chara is now a member of the Washington Capitals...

As the largest player to ever play in the NHL, he was a force to be reckoned with.

He became the Boston Bruins' captain upon joining the team in 2006 (coinciding with the departure of Joe Thornton).

Zdeno Chara received the Norris Trophy as top defenceman in 2009, and helped lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2011.

No longer his prime, and getting slower with every passing game, he's not quite ready to hang 'em up. He'll join fellow Czech Richard Panik in the Capitals' lineup, and will be 44 years old by the playoffs... At least they signed him for a bargain price. To Chara's credit, his plus / minus has steadily improved over the past five seasons.

After a decade and a half as captain, it will be strange to see him without the "C" on his uniform. Chara is associated with jersey number 33, and it seems to suit him. He wore number 3 with the Islanders and Senators before being traded to the Bruins.

Zdeno Chara
2009-10 Upper Deck #4

When Zdeno Chara arrived in Boston, his usual number 3 was unavailable due to it being retired in honor of Lionel Hitchman (playing career 1925–1934). Hitchman was actually the very first player in Boston Bruins' history to have his jersey retired.

Was surprised to learn that Chara briefly wore number 53 at the beginning of his career with the New York Islanders. (He'd switched to jersey number 3 by the time the Isles organization had decided to start wearing the infamous Captain Highliner "Fish Sticks" jerseys).