Known as “Big Z,” Chara has cast a huge shadow of accomplishment over the NHL since his arrival as a third-round selection (No. 56) by the New York Islanders in the 1996 NHL Draft. An inspirational leader, Big Z is only the second European born-and-trained captain to lift the Stanley Cup, and the first from a country behind the Iron Curtain (Czechoslovakia). He is a three-time NHL First-Team All-Star, the recipient of the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL in 2009 and the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership award in 2011. He was also the flag bearer for Slovakia during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Chara has been captain of the Slovak National team numerous times in World Championships and the Olympic Games.