Chris Pronger

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Originally selected second overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL entry draft, Pronger played for Hartford, the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers before the 2009–10 season. He was captain of the Blues, Ducks and Flyers. He appeared in the Stanley Cup Final with three different teams (Edmonton, Anaheim and Philadelphia), winning the Cup with the Ducks in 2007. Pronger won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player for the 1999–2000 season, becoming the first defenceman to win the award since Bobby Orr in 1971–72. A mainstay on Canada national team, Pronger won Olympic gold medals at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics and is a member of the Triple Gold Club. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history. Pronger's playing career ended in November 2011 due to post-concussion syndrome related to three separate hits suffered during his career; he also has vision impairment due to being hit in the eye(s) by the blade of another player's stick. In October 2014, Pronger signed a contract with the NHL to assist its Player Safety Division. Pronger was suspended eight times during his NHL career. The St. Louis Blues retired Pronger's No. 44 on January 17, 2022.

In Their Own Story

The 2007 Stanley Cup victory cemented Pronger's place in history as a member of the Triple Gold Club. Leading up to that moment, he faced scrutiny over his aggressive play, such as the incident on March 12, 2008, against Ryan Kesler. After tangling behind the blue line, Pronger stomped unnecessarily on Kesler's leg. While initially cleared, new video evidence led to an eight-game suspension, a decision criticized by some as insufficient compared to other suspensions that season. Yet, his impact remained profound; he logged 2 goals and 8 assists in 13 playoff games during the 2009 run. The trade that brought him to Anaheim included Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Šmíd, and multiple draft picks, reshaping the franchise's future as they chased their first title.

Reader's Guide

Pronger was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on July 3, 2006, in exchange for forward Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect Ladislav Šmíd, Anaheim's 2007 first-round draft pick, a conditional first-round draft pick, and Anaheim's 2008 second-round draft pick. In 2007, Pronger played an important role for the Ducks run as they won the Stanley Cup. During the Conference Final, Pronger was suspended for one game for a check on Detroit Red Wings winger Tomas Holmström. In the final round, Pronger was suspended for one game for elbowing Ottawa Senators winger Dean McAmmond in the head during game three. On September 28, 2007, Pronger was named captain of the Ducks, replacing Scott Niedermayer, who sat out the beginning of the 2007–08 season. Although Niedermayer returned to the lineup later in the season, Pronger remained captain until the start of next season, when Niedermayer was renamed captain. Pronger retained a role as alternate captain.

Did You Know?

• Pronger scored a penalty shot goal in game one of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming the first player in NHL history to score a penalty shot goal in a Stanley Cup Final game.
• Pronger was suspended eight times during his NHL career.
• Pronger won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player for the 1999–2000 season, becoming the first defenceman to win the award since Bobby Orr in 1971–72.
• The St. Louis Blues retired Pronger's No. 44 on January 17, 2022.