‘Better Not To F*** With Me’: How Zdeno Chara Became The NHL’s Iron Man
The Lead
Wondery
3.9 • 2.2K Ratings
🗓️ 28 February 2022
⏱️ 19 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The tallest man to ever play in the NHL, Zdeno Chara, set a record on Thursday by playing in his 1,652nd game -- the most ever by an NHL defenseman. And while the 6-foot-9-inch Slovakian has been a household name to hockey fans for nearly three decades now, his path to greatness was certainly not written in stone. Today, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz joins us to explain how Chara -- who turns 45 years old next month! -- went from lanky, mystery prospect to hockey legend through a combination of drive, perseverance, and, that's right, pull-ups.
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Transcript
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| 0:07.0 | Hi there, Wondry listeners. Hannah and Sruti here from TrueCram Podcast Redhanded. |
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| 0:31.0 | It's a weekly show where we deep dive into the most talked about cases like the Delphi murders |
| 0:35.0 | and also those you might never have heard of like the Nathari child sacrifices in Delhi. |
| 0:40.0 | Go listen to Redhanded right now on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 0:46.0 | On Thursday night, Zedeno Chara, the tallest man to ever play in the NHL, set a new NHL record. |
| 0:59.0 | Zedeno Chara is set to play in game number 1,652, the most buying NHL defenseman. |
| 1:08.0 | Today, the Athletics Kevin Curz explains how the almost 45-year-old Chara went from a lengthy overlooked prospect to the NHL's new Iron Man. |
| 1:18.0 | The fact that he's remained in the league while these guys have come up and gotten faster, you know, |
| 1:24.0 | that's forced him to change his game as well and he's been able to do it. |
| 1:28.0 | Plus, how his career has come full circle to the team that drafted him. |
| 1:32.0 | From Wondry and the Athletic, I'm Anders Keltso, it's Monday, February 28th, and this is The Lead. |
| 1:43.0 | Kevin Curz, welcome to The Lead. |
| 1:45.0 | Thanks. Thanks for being here. |
| 1:47.0 | So Kevin, first question here. |
| 1:49.0 | Have you ever stood next to Zedeno Chara with or without his gates on? |
| 1:52.0 | And so what was that experience like for you? |
| 1:54.0 | Well, not recently because we're still all on Zoom here. |
... |
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