Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara wins Slovakian Player of the Year award
By Filip Canda
Zdeno Chara is 42 years old, but he somehow continues to impress for the Boston Bruins. Through the injuries, age and numerous setbacks, he is still able to deliver big-time. For that reason and many more, he has been named Player of the Year for 2019 in his home country of Slovakia.
For the sixth time in his career, Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara has been named the best hockey player in Slovakia. It was rather a clear choice for all the Slovak media and fans, after he almost led the Bruins to Stanley Cup glory, even with the broken jaw.
It would have been a perfect ending for a warrior like Zdeno Chara to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career. Regardless of the less than positive end result, it was one heck of a story for both him and his Boston Bruins. Chara played the last three games of the Stanley Cup Final with multiple fractures in his jaw and mouth. He couldn’t properly open his mouth, but he still managed to play.
Nevertheless, not only for his heroics was Zdeno Chara named as the best hockey player in Slovakia. In that award, he has topped another great Slovak players like Tomas Tatar from the Montreal Canadiens or Erik Cernak from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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It was believed that Chara would represent his native Slovakia this year at the World Championships, which was held in Slovakia. But just as in 2011, the last time Slovakia hosted the IIHF World Championships, Zdeno Chara was too busy, what with playing in the Stanley Cup Final.
“I have to admit I did not expect to claim this award, but that’s why I’m proud of it. Thanks to all the people voting for me. I would like to thank my club for outstanding conditions and also to my teammates, who always believe in me and stand by me. I would like to thank my wife as well. For instance, I apologize for not being present here, because of my health issues,” said Chara in the video message to the crowd, as the award handed to the trio of his relatives – mother, father, and his sister.
Not to be overshadowed, the best Slovak netminder was awarded to Jaroslav Halak. “It was a dream for him to be the goaltender. He wants to express his thanks and gratitude to all of you. He hopes to make you, fans, happy with his performances for at least a few more years,” said his mother Jarmila, as Jaroslav Halak also couldn’t make it to the Awards.
Some might argue that these are easy awards to win, but Slovakia is a growing hockey nation with 11 players last year appearing in the NHL; Chara and Halak leading the way, but also the aforementioned Tomas Tatar and Erik Cernak, Richard Panik and another Boston Bruins player in Peter Cehlarik. Peter Budaj provided the only NHL level competition for Jaroslav Halak, though there are plenty of Slovak goalies plying their craft elsewhere in the world.
Zdeno Chara won the award for the sixth time in his career and with that feat, he tied Marian Hossa, who beat Zdeno Chara in the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 with his Chicago Blackhawks.
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Chara needs one more award to top his fellow countryman, though we’re sure his priority would be to also add two more Stanley Cups to tie Hossa’s feat.