After-Party
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Optum Lounge, Draft Kings and the 100 Level Concourse, and on the Field!
Meet Boston Bruins Legend Zdeno Chara & Get His Autograph!
Join us for the Product Show After-Party! Unwind with colleagues over food, drinks, and entertainment. This year’s party will include:
- A special appearance by Zdeno Chara from 6:00–8:00 PM. Please note, Mr. Chara will only be signing autographs on official ISPE provided photos. Other items are not permitted.
- A kicking contest on the field
- Live band performance
- Free beverages and food
- Lawn games
- Exclusive Raffle: Win Bruins tickets and a gift card to Mooo…. Restaurant!
Visit the player appearance table to fill out your raffle ticket.
All After-Party attendees will also receive a complimentary Product Show T-Shirt (while supplies last). Doors open at 6:00 PM, and your Product Show name badge is required for entry.
Zdeno “Big Zee” Chara
Boston Bruins
Former Boston Bruins Captain, Zdeno Chara is the tallest player to have ever played in the National Hockey League. At 6’9”, he was a dominant presence on the ice. His towering presence and fierce playstyle helped transform the Boston Bruins, and the team’s resurgence in the mid-2000s coincided with his signing. Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in 1996, Chara was traded to the Ottawa Senators before the 2001 season, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s top defensemen. In 2006, he signed with the Bruins where his commanding presence and work ethic made him one of the most respected players in the game.
Chara played a pivotal role in the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup Championship and earned six All-Star selections over his career. He was nominated for the Norris Trophy six times, named to the First Team All-Star three times, and won the “Hardest Shot” competition five times. Chara’s combination of size, skill, and defensive dominance cemented his legacy as one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game. He also represented Slovakia internationally, competing in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as the 2004 World Cup and seven World Championships. Among many other honors, Chara received the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2011 and in 2020 he was named to the NHL All-Decade Second Team.
On February 24, 2022, Chara set the record for most games played by a defenseman, appearing in his 1,652nd NHL game. He was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the end of the season, recognizing his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. Chara announced his retirement on September 20, 2022, signing a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins to officially retire as a member of the team. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 and will be inducted in November.
Away from hockey, Chara is passionate about cycling and fitness, having competed in the Publix Family Fitness Triathlon and posting the fastest cycle time in his relay team’s 14.2-mile leg. He has also pursued his interests in finance, earning a degree in financial planning and becoming a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts. Fluent in five languages – English, Slovak, Russian, German, and Czech – Chara remains a respected figure in both the sports and business world.
