Defenseman Zdeno Chara, who played the past season with the Capitals, will return to the team where his professional hockey career began, as he signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders on Saturday, the team announced in a press release.
The Islanders signed Chara in the third round of the 1996 NHL Draft. The left-handed shooter remained in New York until 2001 when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Chara then spent 14 seasons with the Boston Bruins.
Last season in Washington, “Big Zee” recorded two goals, eight assists and ten points, and spent the majority of the season playing on the third-pairing with Nick Jensen and helped provide a veteran presence on the Capitals’ defense and penalty-killing unit.