Zdeno Chara receives his Honoured Member plaque from Nicklas Lidstrom (Image Credit: Matthew Manor/Hockey Hall of Fame)

By Victor Kaisar

Chara HHOF

Former Cougar Zdeno Chara enshrined into Hockey Hall of Fame

Nov 11, 2025 | 7:18 PM

TORONTO — Former Prince George Cougars defenceman Zdeno Chara has officially been enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The 48-year-old native of Slovakia was inducted as part of the class of 2025 alongside Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker in the player category.

Jack Parker and Danièle Sauvageau were enshrined as builders.

Chara spent the 1996-97 season in Prince George – his first in North America – and finished with three goals and 22 points in 49 games as a 19-year-old. He also logged 120 penalty minute with the Cougars.

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‘Big Z’ as he was known, then went on to play 1,680 NHL games over 24 seasons with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.

The six-foot-nine blueliner spent 14 seasons with the Bruins — all as captain — from 2006 through 2020, and won the Stanley Cup in 2011 against the Vancouver Canucks.

A six time NHL all-star, Chara also won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman in the 2008-09 season.

In May, Chara was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.