Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger was selected second overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He made his debut in the 1993-94 NHL season, playing 81 games for the Whalers and earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. After a second season in Hartford, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues for star forward Brendan Shanahan on July 27, 1995. Some say he was immature and hot-headed in Hartford, but he was still considered a great potential player.
In the early years of his St. Louis career, Pronger played under coach and general manager Mike Keenan. He would eventually become the team's captain, from 1997-2003. Pronger would average around 50 points a season for the Blues, with his best year being 1999-2000 in which he scored 62 points, including 14 goals.
Following the 2004-05 NHL lockout and imposition of the NHL salary cap, the Blues traded Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers for defensemen Eric Brewer, Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch. While the Blues needed to clear cap space, the Oilers were able to sign Pronger to a five-year, $31.25 million contract. Pronger took the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals that year, eventually losing to Carolina.
In July of 2006, Pronger was traded to Anaheim. In 2007, Pronger played an important role for the Ducks run as they reached the Stanley Cup Finals, while Pronger participated in the Finals for the second year in a row. The Ducks would win the Cup and Pronger would become a member of the elite Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley Cup, World Championship and Olympic Gold medal.
Pronger is one of the elite defensemen in the league. He plays big and opponents often need to watch his mean streak. Pronger can be prone to undisciplined streaks and has been known to throw vicious elbows. He is defensively responsible and is an underrated offensive talent, too.
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