Former NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara was one of eight individuals elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday afternoon.
Chara was joined in the 2025 HHOF class by former NHL players Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, and two former women’s players, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker. Former Boston University coach Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageauas, a former Canadian women’s hockey coach, general manager, and coaching consultant, were part of this year’s Builders Category. Chara, Keith, and Thornton were all elected in their first year of eligibility.
Chara, nicknamed Big Zee during his career, played 25 seasons in the NHL from 1997 through 2022, suiting up for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals. Chara took home the Norris Trophy in 2009 — he was also a six-time finalist during his career — and won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. He played in the most games ever by a defenseman in NHL history, 1,680, and the third most overall.
“Zee is a superb human being in so many ways,” Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs said per NHL.com. “Not only in size and skill, but also in his thoughtfulness and the respect he commands. It’s no surprise that he was selected in his first year of eligibility, because he’s truly special. The Bruins were fortunate to get him and raise the Cup with him.”
Not only is Chara one of the toughest and most rugged players in NHL history, but he was also unique. Towering over his teammates and competitors, the six-foot-nine rearguard stood 7 feet tall on skates. He is the tallest player in NHL history.
“Zdeno put forth an unparalleled combination of size, strength, and ability each time he took the ice,” Cam Neely, a Hockey Hall of Fame player who now serves as the Bruins president, added. “He kept opponents on notice with his commanding physicality and set the tone for his teammates with a stout defensive acumen, all while having the power at any given time to unleash one of the hardest shots ever recorded. His legendary leadership qualities were also continually on display, particularly when it came to his renowned off-ice conditioning which set a standard for all players to follow. To put it simply, Zdeno’s skill set stands among the most unique in the century-plus history of the National Hockey League, making him enormously worthy of enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame where he will be remembered forever as one of the very best to play our sport.”
Chara won the NHL’s Hardest Shot Competition in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012, and owns the hardest shot of all-time with a 108.8 mph slap shot in 2012.
Chara, who averaged 23:33 of ice time per game, posted 680 points (209 goals, 471 assists) in his 1,680 games played. From the backend, Chara scored double digits in goals in 10 different seasons, scoring a career high 19 times in 2008-09 for the Bruins. He posted a career high 51 points (17g, 34a) during the 2007-08 season.
Chara eventually formed a big rivalry with Alex Ovechkin midway through his career, as the top-pairing defenseman was frequently tasked with shutting down the NHL’s greatest goal-scorers in games. The Caps-Bruins matchups were at times electric and featured both players doling out big hits on each other. Chara’s long reach at times could frustrate Ovechkin, though the Russian sniper has still scored 30 different times against Boston in his career.
Chara and Ovechkin eventually joined forces in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season when the then 43-year-old defender signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals. Chara moved on from the Bruins, believing his playing time would be cut.
“Obviously, you know if someone tell me two or three years ago I’m gonna play with (Henrik) Lundqvist on one team and (Zdeno) Chara on another team, I would say, ‘Are you guys crazy?’” Ovechkin said.
He added, “I’m looking forward to see him, talk to him, play with him. Obviously, he’s a legend and it’s great for our team.”
Chara notched 10 points (2g, 8a) in 55 games with the Caps, instantly becoming one of the team leaders and most beloved players. His first goal as a Capital spurred a wild celebration at the bench.
Chara played his 1,600th career game as a member of the Caps
He also set the new NHL record (which he broke again five times later) as the oldest player to ever get in a fight when he dropped the gloves with Matt Martin on April 1, 2021.
“When you see him walk around, you see him in the gym, there’s just this feeling he puts off,” Tom Wilson said. “This vibe he puts off that just makes everyone around him better. He’s an amazing leader. Watching him in there putting in work is surreal sometimes, how strong he is. Just honestly, when he’s picking up weights, that should be heavy, they don’t look heavy. It’s a lot of fun to be around. I’ve found myself getting better just being around him, working out with him, preparing with him. He demands that from his teammates.”
A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Chara would play only one more season after his year with the Caps, suiting up in 72 games for the New York Islanders during the 2021-22 season. He would retire at the end of that year, signing a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins.
“After 25 seasons of professional hockey 1,680 NHL regular season games, 200 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and hundreds of international games I am proud to announce my decision to retire from the National Hockey League,” Chara wrote. “In doing so, I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family. There are so many people that have helped contribute to my success, including all of you, and I look forward to properly thanking everyone this afternoon.”
Now a competitive runner, Chara has competed in the Boston and New York Marathons over the last several years. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in May.
The most notable surprise of this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame class was Alexander Mogilny, who got in after his 17th year of eligibility. During the 1992-93 season, Mogilny scored 76 goals in 77 games for the Buffalo Sabres. He’d post 1,032 total points (473g, 559a) in 16 seasons, suiting up with Buffalo, the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He became a Stanley Cup champion in 2000 as a member of the Devils.
Per the NHL, to be elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame:
Candidates had to receive at least 75 percent of the vote from the selection committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A maximum of four retired male players, two retired female players, two builders or one builder and one retired official may be inducted in a single year.
Former Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby was eligible this year for the first time in his career.
Here’s the full press release from the NHL:
Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees
Builder Category: Jack Parker, Daniele Sauvageau; Player Category: Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Joe Thornton
TORONTO (June 24, 2025) – Ron Francis, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced today that eight individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in both the Player and Builder Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.
“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Francis. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”
In the Builder Category, two individuals were elected.
Jack Parker’s coaching career began in 1968, immediately after graduating from Boston University, where he was captain of the Terriers in his final playing season. He returned to Boston University as an assistant coach a year later, becoming head coach in 1973. At BU, his teams won three NCAA titles, while appearing in 24 NCAA tournaments before Jack retired in 2013 after 40 seasons and 897 career wins – all at the same school.
During her distinguished career Montreal native Daniele Sauvageau has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the game. She has taken part in seven Olympic Games, as a women’s hockey coach, general manager and coaching consultant. Daniele is the first women ever elected as a Builder in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“My parents have supported me throughout my career,” said Sauvageau. “They taught me that perseverance, patience and passion are the key builders in life. I’m so proud to now be a Builder in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
In the Player Category, six individuals were elected.
Jennifer Botterill played her minor hockey (and ringette) growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before playing four seasons at Harvard University from 1998-99 to 2002-03. A four-time First Team All-ECAC and All-American, she went on to play professional hockey before retiring in 2011. Internationally, Jennifer was a member of three gold medal-winning Olympic teams and also won the MVP at the 2001 and 2004 IIHF Women’s World Championships.
“My heart is really full with this honour,” said Botterill. “I appreciate all of the people who have helped me through my career.”
A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Zdeno Chara was a third-round selection of the New York Islanders in 1996 and made his NHL debut in 1997-98. A steady NHL defenceman for more than two decades in the NHL, Chara won the Norris Trophy in 2008-09 and the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2010-11. His 1,680 games played are the most by a defenceman in League history.
Born in Wisconsin, Brianna Decker played minor hockey in both her home state and at Shattuck-St. Mary’s high school in Minnesota. Brianna played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin from 2009-10 to 2012-13, earning numerous awards, including the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA’s Top Collegiate Women’s Ice Hockey Player. A member of six gold medal-winning U.S. teams at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, she was also a gold medal winner at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. After a stellar professional career, Brianna’s final active game came in 2022 during the Olympic Games in Beijing.
“I didn’t think I would ever get this call,” said Decker. “To be part of the greats that built this game is truly something that is special. I am so thankful.”
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Duncan Keith spent two seasons with the Michigan State Spartans from 2001-02 to 2002-03 before joining the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, where he won a league championship in 2002-03. Duncan made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015), the Conn Smythe Trophy (2015) and two Norris Trophies (2009-10 and 2013-14).
“I was lucky to play on some really good teams with some great players,” said Keith. “It’s been a journey with many ups and downs, and I want to thank the people who helped me get to this point in my life.”
Alexander Mogilny made his NHL debut on October 5, 1989, with the Buffalo Sabres, where he led the team in scoring in 1994-95. He later played five seasons for the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the New Jersey Devils on March 14, 2000 and won the Stanley Cup later that season. Internationally, Alexander is a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club, winning a World Championship in 1989 and a gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games (in addition to his Stanley Cup win).
“I am happy to be part of a great organization like the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Mogilny. “I want to thank both my Russian and NHL teammates for helping me achieve this honour.”
London, Ontario, native Joe Thornton was selected first overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins after he had 122 points in 59 games with the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds during the 1996-97 season and captured Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year honours in 1995-96. In his eighth season with the Bruins, Joe was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2005-06, where he played for 15 more seasons and led the team in scoring seven times. One of only 16 players in NHL history to have 1,500 points, he also won the Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2010.
“Holy doodle, I can’t believe that I am receiving this honour,” said Thornton. “There are so many people I need to thank because I certainly couldn’t have done this alone.”
The 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, November 10, in Toronto (preceded by the traditional slate of “Induction Weekend” events) beginning on Saturday, November 8, including the annual “Hockey Hall of Fame Game” hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Stay tuned for further announcements in the upcoming weeks which will be posted via HHOF.com and other HHOF social media platforms.
