Broken hand to sideline Pronger 3-4 weeks

PHILADELPHIA, March 14 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger will be out 3-4 weeks after surgery he is to have on his broken right hand, the team said Monday.

Pronger, who has four goals and 21 assists in 50 games this season for the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers, will have the fracture repaired by Dr. Tom Graham in Cleveland, General Manager Paul Holmgren said.

"Chris had a CT scan on his right hand on Sunday and a small fracture was discovered," he said. "Our doctors believe surgery is the best route to take with the injury."

The 36-year-old Pronger was hurt Feb. 24 against the New York Islanders when he took a shot off the hand. He has missed three games since then.