Flyers Bet the House on Pronger
Can one of the toughest guys in the league lead us to the Stanley Cup?
By KAREN ARAIZA
Updated 1:47 AM EST, Sat, Jun 27, 2009
The Flyers gave up a lot Friday night to get All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger, one of the best in the league.
It cost them right wing Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, their first-round draft of the night (21st overall) next year's first round draft pick and a conditional third round draft pick in either 2010 or 2011. That all went to the Anaheim Ducks for Pronger and forward Ryan Dingle.
“Chris brings a lot of things to any team he’s on,” said General Manger Paul Holmgren. “He’s a proven winner and obviously he brings size. He can pass the puck as well as anybody and he brings a nice physical presence both in stature and the way he plays.”
At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Pronger is a big, tough guy who may be just the right fit for the Broad Street Bullies.
“I'm very excited. It’s obviously a city that’s very passionate for the sport of hockey,” said Pronger. “The style of the play that the Flyers have been known to play certainly fits my game. They’ve got some great young talent and I hope to help not only develop the team into being regarded as one of the top teams in the league, but winning a Stanley Cup.”
Pronger helped the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007. During the last season he had 11 goals and 37 assists. He also posted 10 points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Pronger, 34, led the Ducks on the ice with an average of 26 minutes, 57 seconds per game – second in the NHL.
Pronger called Dingle, 25, "a little sparkplug" who "opened up a lot of eyes" before being injured late in training camp last year, according to Philly.com He went on to score 11 goals with AHL Iowa.
First Published: Jun 26, 2009 10:27 PM EST
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