Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger is the retired former captain of the Anaheim Ducks and leading defenseman in the National Hockey League. He was born in Dryden, Ontario and began his NHL career with the Hartford Whalers (now Carolina Hurricanes). He was Hartford's first pick (number two overall) in the 1993 entry draft and subsequently traded to the St Louis Blues in 1995 for Brendan Shanahan. Pronger combined powerful skating, solid defense, the odd fisticuffs, a physical game with some offensive skills and instincts.

Pronger became the first defenseman since the great Bobby Orr in 1972 to win the Hart Trophy (NHL Most Valuable Player award) and the Norris Trophy (top NHL defenseman) in the 1999-2000 season. He represented Canada in several international hockey tournaments, including being a member of the goal medal winning 2002 winter Olympic team. Chris was traded from the St Louis Blues to the Edmonton Oilers in August 2005, and subsequently to the Anaheim Ducks in July 2006.

In 2007, Pronger played an important role in the Ducks run to the Stanley Cup, while Pronger himself participated in the Finals for the second year in a row, the previous year being with the Edmonton Oilers. With the Stanley Cup victory, Chris became a member of the Triple Gold Club.

On September 28th, 2007, Pronger was named the captain of the Ducks, replacing Scott Niedermayer. Pronger's playing career ended in November 2011 due to post-concussion syndrome related to three separate hits suffered during his career; he also suffers from 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, and he assists the NHL's Player Safety Division involving St. Louis Blues. The Blues retired Pronger's No. 44 in early 2022.

Pronger now owns Well Inspired Travels with his wife Lauren, a travel company focused on wellness.