Zdeno Chara Breaks the NHL Record for Games by a Defenseman

Zdeno Chara now owns one of the NHL's toughest records. The 44-year-old New York Islanders defenseman played his 1,652nd career game in San Jose tonight, passing Hall of Famer Chris Chelios for the most games ever played by a defenseman.

The night ended in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Sharks, but nobody at SAP Center was thinking about the score. The home crowd gave Chara a standing ovation in the first period, and the Sharks played a video message from Patrick Marleau, the league's all-time leader in games played. Chara logged 16:26 of ice time and even found time for the 76th fight of his career, with San Jose's Jeffrey Viel, ending it with a hug.

Chara turns 45 next month and is in his 24th season. He is also now tied for the seventh-most games played at any position. Out of respect for Chelios, he refused to talk about the record until it was his, and then thanked him first:

It’s such an honor and privilege to be in the same group as many great defenseman, but obviously passing Chris, he’s set such a high standard for many of us and many generations.

How does a 6ft 9in defenseman keep going this long? Food is part of the answer. In September 2017 Chara switched to a mostly plant-based diet, dropping beef, chicken, pork and dairy, though he said he still eats salmon and eggs sometimes. A few months in, he told the Boston Globe: "I can tell I'm feeling better. I know for a fact I'm playing with a lot more energy and I'm recovering faster."

Back then his breakfast was oatmeal with hemp seeds, chia seeds, goji berries, walnuts, a banana and honey from Slovakia. He came to the idea partly through cycling, where he noticed some riders rarely eat meat.

In 2019 we covered Chara captaining Boston to the Stanley Cup Final at 42. He's one of a long line of big men proving the point, from boxer David Haye to the 252lb rugby international who ditched meat.

Most games ever by a defenseman, mostly on plants.