Chara scores big for charity

Jan 25, 2009 - 6:00 AM By Scott Erskine PA SportsTicker Hockey Editor

Zdeno Chara set a record at the NHL SuperSkills competition. In doing so, he scored big for charity.

At the Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday, the Boston Bruins defenseman won the Hardest Shot event for the third straight year by unleashing a blast that registered a record-105.4 miles per hour on the radar gun.

The shot eclipsed the previous mark set in 1993 by Al Iafrate, who drilled the puck 105.2 mph at the Montreal Forum.

"That's the highest I've ever shot it," Chara said. "I've been around 103, 104 (mph). You always want to shoot the hardest shot, and now it's the All-Star record, so I'm very happy."

By besting Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber, who registered a shot of 103.4 mph, Chara also made a lot of money for Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sports programs to help improve the health, develop life skills and foster peace of children and communities in disadvantaged areas of the world.

Before taking part in the Hardest Shot competition, the captain of the Bruins asked Weber and the other four participants - fellow blue-liners Sheldon Souray of the Edmonton Oilers, Mark Streit of the New York Islanders and Mike Komisarek of the host Montreal Canadiens as well as Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier - to put $1,000 apiece into a pot, with the winner donating the total to his favorite charity.

Each individual's team also announced it would match the $1,000, while the National Hockey League and the Players' Association agreed to add $6,000 apiece, raising the entire amount to $24,000.

"The NHLPA's Goals & Dreams fund is proud to support Right To Play through the Hardest Shot competition," said Devin Smith, chairman of the organization. "We congratulate Zdeno Chara on his winning shot and his continued support of Right To Play."

Thanks to Chara, Right To Play will receive a sizable donation in order to continue its own goal.

"Today is a very special day," Chara said. "Hopefully, we can spread this even further to the future. Again, I'm very, very thankful to all of the players, the hockey clubs, the NHL and NHLPA for donating money. And hopefully, we can do this every year, every All-Star. You know, it's for a good cause."

The 6-9, 255-pound native of Slovakia credited Bruins teammate Andrew Ference for raising his awareness of the charity.

"He's been involved with Right To Play the year before I joined," Chara said. "I really liked the idea of going to Africa and seeing locations and how they are trying to help children and families. I really like to be involved, and I think it's a great charity program and I'm really happy to be part of it."

Those unfamiliar with Chara, and the NHL as a whole, should not be surprised by their willingness to help those less fortunate.

"When it comes to giving of themselves to support charitable causes, our players are second to none," NHL senior vice president of corporate communications Bernadette Mansur said. "The NHL Foundation, as well as the NHL member clubs, are delighted to support Zdeno Chara in this very worthwhile cause, Right To Play."

A giant on the ice, Chara obviously has a heart that matches his physical stature.