Ottawa Senators Roster Update: Senators sign Zdeno Chara; defenceman signs multi-year contract
August 10, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Ottawa Senators.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SENATORS SIGN ZDENO CHARA
Defenceman signs multi-year contract

OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler announced today that defenceman Zdeno Chara has been re-signed to a multi-year deal with the Club.

Chara, 27, recorded career-highs in goals (16) and points (41) through his 79 games in 2003-04. He finished second among defencemen in team goals and scoring while finishing third overall in the NHL with his + 33 +/- rating. For his efforts, Chara was a first-time nominee for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenceman, finishing second in voting.

Chara also played for Slovakia at the 2004 World Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic. In nine games he recorded two goals and two penalty minutes and was named to the tournament all-star team.

Since joining the Senators for the 2001-02 season, Chara has a League-best +92 +/- rating. He has recorded 103 points (35-68) in 228 games through three seasons with Ottawa and now ranks 5th in Senators all-time penalty minutes (419).

In seven NHL seasons, Chara has 41 goals, 91 assists and 766 penalty minutes in 459 career games. The 6’9” defenseman has also added two goals, eight assists and 34 penalty minutes in 35 career playoff games.

The Senators originally acquired Chara from the New York Islanders on June 23, 2001 along with Bill Muckalt and the second overall draft pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin.

ZDENO CHARA, Defence, Shoots left, 6’9”, 260 lbs.
Born: March 18, 1977 (Trencin, Czechoslovakia)
Drafted: New York Islander’s third-round choice (56th overall) in 1996 NHL Entry Draft