Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chara, a retired Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman, played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He showcased his leadership skills while serving as the captain of the Boston Bruins for fourteen seasons from 2006 to 2020. Chara led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011, 2013, and 2019, clinching victory in 2011. The towering player, standing 6 ft 9 in, is one of five European-born and raised captains to lead his team to the Stanley Cup championship. He also holds the record for the most games played by a defenceman in the NHL with 1,652 games.

Chara's prowess in ice hockey isn't limited to the NHL. Internationally, he has represented Slovakia at numerous tournaments, winning two silver medals at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He also won a silver medal playing for Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Having set multiple records for the hardest shot in the NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition, Chara's dedication to the sport is also evident in his philanthropic actions, such as donating his winnings from the 2008-09 Skills Competition to the charity "Right to Play".

Following his retirement, Chara has continued to make an impact off the ice. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2025 and named into the IIHF All-Time Slovakia Team in 2020. He has also participated in the Boston Marathon to support charitable foundations, and was honored with the "Heroes Among Us" award by the Boston Celtics for his outstanding community service.