The NHL announced Friday that Chris Pronger has been named to the league's Department of Player Safety, even though the veteran defenseman remains under contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Pronger has not played in an NHL game since November of 2011 due to chronic symptoms resulting from a series of concussion, but has not officially retired because of the remainder of his contract with the Flyers would count towards the salary cap. The former Hart and Norris Trophy winner still has three seasons remaining on the seven-year extension he signed with Philadelphia in 2009.
The 40-year-old has earned five All-Star Game appearances and recorded 698 points (157 goals, 541 assists) in 1,167 regular-season games over 18 NHL seasons. Pronger's best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-00, when he posted a career-high 62 points (14 goals, 48 assists) and a plus-52 rating to capture both the league's MVP and top defenseman awards.
Pronger also helped Anaheim win the 2007 Stanley Cup and reached the Cup Finals with both Edmonton (2006) and Philadelphia (2010).
The decorated defenseman also has plenty of previous experience dealing with the Department of Player Safety, as he was suspended a total of eight times over the course of his career.
[SportsNetwork.com]
