Zdeno Chara Comes 'Full Circle' in Return to Islanders

Zdeno Chara is going right back where he started from.
On Saturday afternoon, the Islanders announced the return of the veteran defenseman, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the very organization that had drafted him 56th overall in 1996.

"It's kind of full circle," Chara said via his Zoom availability on Saturday. "Who would know that this would work out with the way it did after 20-some years. I'm very honored and humbled to be an Islander again."
Chara got his impressive NHL career started on Long Island, where he played from 1997-2001, before a four-season stint in Ottawa (2001-06). Chara spent the bulk of his career in Boston playing 14 seasons from 2006-20 with the Bruins and made his most recent stop with the Washington Capitals this past year.

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While the 44-year-old Trencin, Slovakia native has already accomplished an impressive amount over the span of his 23-year NHL career, he knew he wanted to come back for at least one more season.
After taking in deep consideration with his family - who is based just a short train ride away in Boston - and evaluating all possible options over the course of the offseason, they came to the decision that the Islanders were the perfect fit to continue his career.
"I love the game," Chara said. "I have passion for the game and believe I can still play. Those are the things that you need. I don't think you need to say much besides having love for the game and having passion and wanting to win."
Making the return to Long Island wasn't just a poetic touch, but rather was a straightforward decision for the blueliner. After spending the entirety of his career in the Eastern Conference and facing the Islanders on numerous accounts - including eight regular-season meetings during last year's abbreviated division-only slate - Chara has witnessed firsthand the Islanders' steady development into a dominant and consistent Stanley Cup contender.

"I can only tell by playing against them," Chara explained. "It was always hard to play against the Islanders. They were always on you, they play a very heavy game, a grinding game, they don't give up many chances or many goals. The games were always tight. It's a very solid group with strong leadership and strong core players that have been part of the Islanders for a long time [and are] under the great coaching staff and one of the best - if not the best - managers in the league. It's a well-structured and cultured team now. I think they can make a lot of noise around the league."
Chara certainly brings in a plethora of experience and leadership to the Islanders. A constant throughout his lengthy career has been his innate leadership abilities as he captained Boston for the entirety of his 14 seasons with the organization and also had a role as alternate captain during two of his four seasons in Ottawa and in one year with the Islanders.
With 1,608 regular-season games under his belt, a 2011 Stanley Cup victory in Boston, a Norris Trophy (2009) and a Mark Messier Leadership Award (2011), he also adds an additional perspective of wisdom to the Islanders' already veteran core.
And even with all of his professionalism, Chara repeatedly noted the mutual appreciation for the strength of the Islanders' top-to-bottom structure and leadership.
"Leadership is very important," Chara said. "It's coming from the top; from the management, through the coaching staff, onto the players. I really believe that the leadership throughout the whole [Islanders organization] is very strong. I'm looking forward to being a part of it and contributing on and off the ice any way that I can."

While a lot has changed since the last time Chara donned the Islanders' crest, there couldn't be a better time for a reunion like this one. With the Islanders' brand-new home at UBS Arena on the horizon - and scheduled to open on Nov. 20 - combined with the team's unwavering determination for success, there's much to anticipate in this next chapter back on Long Island.
"You never know how your career will evolve and how it will end up," Chara said. "Obviously, nobody can really imagine finishing where you start. It just worked out that way. I'm glad it did. I'm happy to be an Islander again. That's just the way it sometimes works."