Hockey Legend Zdeno Chara Kicks Off North Park's 35th Anniversary Season

Founded in 1987 at Lasker Rink in the northern end of Central Park, North Park is thankful to begin our 35th Anniversary Season this week.  We are honored to partner with hockey legend Zdeno Chara and his team from Rezztek to kick off our 2022-'23 season.  

A 6'9" 260 lb defenseman, Chara has been a dominant hockey force for over 25 years, having made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders in 1997-'98.  "Big Z" captained the Boston Bruins  for 14 seasons, leading them to 3 Stanley Cups.  He has won the Norris Trophy, the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, was a perennial All-Star, and set the record at the NHL All-Star game as a five-time winner of the "hardest shot" skills competition.  Zdeno has represented his native Slovakia at various IIHF world hockey tournaments and is on the Slovakia "All-Time" team.  

Zdeno Chara currently holds the record for the hardest recorded slap shot at nearly 109 mph.  To assist other hockey players in developing their shooting and stick skills, Chara helped design Rezztek.  Rezztek is a new Slovakia-based hockey stick technology designed as a breakthrough improvement versus traditional hockey tape.  

As a celebration of North Park's 35th Anniversary season, Chara and the extended Rezztek family are happy to announce two special gifts.  

First, to help continue grow the game of hockey in New York, Rezztek has made an important contribution to the North Park Annual Fund, helping us extend financial need where necessary.  

Second, every North Park skater and coach (goalies included!) will receive a pair of specially branded "North Park 35" Rezzteks to start the season.  

Please enjoy this special message from "Big Z" as we prepare to kick off the season:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjr5eeyGfbk

Let's Go North Park!