Chris Pronger was one of hockey's all-time great competitors. This 2008 story analyzed what made Pronger a target of animosity from fans and opponents.
Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger never shied away from physicality on the ice or controversy off of it.
In this cover story from The Hockey News’ April 22, 2008 edition – Vol. 61, Issue 25 – then-senior writer Ken Campbell examined Pronger’s impact on his team and the sport itself.
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Pronger’s particularly nasty brand of hockey endeared him to fans of the team he was playing on, but for just about everyone else, he was a villain. Campbell spoke to a Western Conference GM who asked for anonymity when discussing Pronger.
“I would say he’s the dirtiest top player in the league,” the GM said. “He has no problem going over the line. I don’t know if fear is the right word to use with him, but he has no problem hurting people. He’s reckless and he has little regard for the rules.”
“Chris plays hard,” added NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell. “Chris is a mean player. But he’s not like players I knew from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s and I won’t mention names, but he’s not dirty like that. The one guy I compare him to is Gordie Howe. Everybody speaks in glowing terms about how vicious his elbows and stick were. Now when players do it, it’s ugly and wrong and bad for the game.”
Pronger also was controversial in the way he departed from the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, asking for a trade out of town after just one year with Edmonton. Oilers fans loathed him after that, but Pronger and his representative, agent Pat Morris, defended the decision. And Pronger would go on to win a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.
“Chris signed for five years with the purpose and intention of staying for five years and because of personal reasons that had nothing to do with the city of Edmonton, he stayed only one,” Morris told Campbell. “It had nothing to do with the city. It could have been Detroit, it could have been Boston, it could have been Toronto, it could have been Vancouver.
“He took a mediocre team to within one period of winning the Stanley Cup. The ownership, the teams and other players made a lot of money off that, but Chris didn’t because he was under contract. He increased the value of that franchise and every one of those owners who destroyed him after the fact made a ton of money on their investment, partly because of what Chris did there.”
COURT IS IN SESSION
Vol. 61, No. 25, April 22, 2008
By Ken Campbell
ALL RISE, THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION IS NOW IN SESSION, JUDGE JOHN Q. HOCKEY FAN PRESIDING.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we present Christopher Robert Pronger, a 33-year-old defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks. He has been previously employed by the Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers and we believe you are well acquainted with his past. Due to his high profile as a superstar in the NHL and his penchant for controversy, he has found himself before The Court of Public Opinion on a number of occasions.
Mr. Pronger stands before you today charged on five counts.
He is "charged" with:
1. Being the dirtiest player in the NHL
2. High treason in his native Canada
3. Tarnishing his legacy
4. Being a bad person
5. Being a detriment to the NHL
All are serious charges, which is why it is imperative that we discuss them fully before coming to a verdict on each one. To be sure, he has paid a heavy debt to the NHL – although some would say not nearly heavy enough – both in terms of games missed and in terms of fines. Throughout his career, Mr. Pronger has been suspended a total of eight times for 20 regular season games and two playoff games and has forfeited a total of $1,603,422.37 of his $66.2 million in career earnings in fines.
He has also taken something of a beating in cyberspace. There is currently a website that invites visitors to Kick Chris Pronger! We recorded kicks of 41,123 meters, 101,565 meters (with several bounces) and 25,214 meters.
In light of this, it is the feeling of this judicial system that Mr. Pronger deserves his day in court. Along with his supporters and detractors, he should have an opportunity to discuss these charges in an open forum.
Let’s get started then.
CHARGE NO. 1
CHRIS PRONGER IS CHARGED WITH BEING THE DIRTIEST PLAYER IN THE NHL.
Prior to calling any witnesses, the court would like to enter into evidence Exhibit A, which is what Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks told the media after Mr. Pronger stomped on his leg in a March 12 game, an action that earned Mr. Pronger his most recent suspension from the NHL. In the aftermath of the incident, Mr. Kesler was quoted as saying: “He’s a dirty player and he’s one of the few guys in the league who’s trying to hurt people.”
But is he the dirtiest player in the NHL?
The court calls as its first witness a Western Conference GM who prefers to remain in the Witness Protection Program.
In your opinion, Sir, is Chris Pronger the dirtiest player in the NHL?
“I would say he’s the dirtiest top player in the league. He has no problem going over the line. I don’t know if fear is the right word to use with him, but he has no problem hurting people. He’s reckless and he has little regard for the rules.”
But, there are a lot of players who play the game on the edge, aren’t there?
“Yeah, but I look at a guy like Brenden Morrow. He plays a hard game and he’s really physical, but he’s not a nut, is he?”
Thank you, sir.
The court now calls Dean McAmmond as a witness. The Ottawa Senators center was the victim of a Chris Pronger headshot in the Stanley Cup final last spring and was knocked out of the series.
Mr. McAmmond, what do you think of Mr. Pronger’s style of play?
“I’ve just spent more time talking about this than I’ve wanted to. That pretty much sums up the way I feel. Why do you need to talk to guys like me, because we’re the victims? You don’t need me to say anything. You can look at the guys he has hacked and slashed and form your own opinions.”
Thank you, Mr. McAmmond.
The court now calls Colin Campbell, vice-president and director of hockey operations for the NHL and a man who has suspended Pronger seven times.
Mr. Campbell, is Mr. Pronger the dirtiest player in the NHL?
“Chris plays hard. Chris is a mean player. But he’s not like players I knew from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s and I won’t mention names, but he’s not dirty like that. The one guy I compare him to is Gordie Howe. Everybody speaks in glowing terms about how vicious his elbows and stick were. Now when players do it, it’s ugly and wrong and bad for the game.”
Finally, the court calls Mr. Chris Pronger.
Mr. Pronger, there is an element out there that believes you’re the dirtiest player in the NHL.
“People who call me the dirtiest player in the league, I don’t see any of those people when I get cheapshotted, my knees taken out, hit into the boards on my knees when I have a broken jaw. ‘He deserves it,’ they say. But you know what? If I’m going to have to take abuse, I’m going to give it out.”
When you were last suspended, you were playing with a broken jaw, were you not? Do you feel as though you were targeted?
“You watch the tape. I didn’t get punched more than twice in 60 games before I broke my jaw. I got punched at least five times a game after. If I’m doing that to a guy with a broken jaw, what do you think is going to happen? I’m a dirty player. I just punched a guy with a broken jaw in the face.”
THE VERDICT: Guilty with an explanation. There is little doubt Pronger is a target, but that doesn’t condone his actions.
CHARGE NO. 2
CHRIS PRONGER IS "CHARGED" WITH HIGH TREASON IN HIS NATIVE CANADA.
This charge stems from Mr. Pronger’s decision to request a trade from the Edmonton Oilers after leading them to within one win of the Stanley Cup in 2006. The reason for the move has remained shrouded in innuendo and mystery almost two years later, partly because Mr. Pronger has chosen to keep his motivation for his trade request private.
It has been widely reported that the request was made for family reasons, nothing more, nothing less. Given the evidence before the court, we are inclined to believe it was nothing more than a private family matter.
As its first witness, the court calls Jake Daniels of The Team 1260 radio station in Edmonton, a vocal critic of Mr. Pronger.
Mr. Daniels, what is the level of vitriol for Mr. Pronger in Edmonton these days?
“People have long memories here and part of what I do is get conversation going and I kind of play to the elephant-minded side of the Edmonton hockey fan and it’s kind of fun. And everything Chris Pronger has said in the meantime has fuelled the fire, too.
“But I think everybody is pretty happy with the team we have here and now I think it’s more in fun that they do this kind of stuff. He’ll get booed every time he touches the puck in Edmonton from now until the end of his career.”
The court now calls David Staples, a writer with the Edmonton Journal who has chronicled the Pronger saga extensively.
Mr. Staples, do you believe Mr. Pronger is guilty of treason?
“No, but I think he’s guilty of not being a stand-up guy. What exactly did he do that was wrong? Why didn’t he clear the air? In the absence of good information, bad information flourishes.
“All he had to say was, ‘I love my wife and she wants to go back to the States.’ Is that throwing somebody under the bus? No, it’s clearing the air in a healthy way and any mature person would have said, ‘That makes sense.’”
Would it be accurate to say there was a bevy of misinformation on both sides? Did Pronger not tell radio host Jim Rome that some fans in Edmonton burned his son’s crib after he left?
“It started with a radio guy saying, ‘We should have a Let’s Burn Chris Pronger’s Furniture Day,’ and it grew from there. As it so happened, I was renting furniture from the same company and I called them after the Pronger comment and they said it wasn’t true. They spoke glowingly about Chris Pronger. He said they got their furniture back in immaculate condition.
“I can see how he has a grievance with some people here and I can see why he’s angry, but it’s karma.”
The court would now like to call Pat Morris, Mr. Pronger’s agent, advisor and close friend.
Mr. Morris, is Chris Pronger guilty of treason?
“Chris signed for five years with the purpose and intention of staying for five years and because of personal reasons that had nothing to do with the city of Edmonton, he stayed only one. It had nothing to do with the city. It could have been Detroit, it could have been Boston, it could have been Toronto, it could have been Vancouver.
“He took a mediocre team to within one period of winning the Stanley Cup. The ownership, the teams and other players made a lot of money off that, but Chris didn’t because he was under contract. He increased the value of that franchise and every one of those owners who destroyed him after the fact made a ton of money on their investment, partly because of what Chris did there.”
Thank you, Mr. Morris.
Finally, the court calls Chris Pronger.
Mr. Pronger, your teammate Scott Niedermayer effectively took four months off with a valid contract for personal reasons and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks left the team during a crucial time in the season for the same reason. Why were they treated differently?
“Those guys aren’t considered Public Enemy No. 1. Before I went to Edmonton, I was considered Public Enemy No. 1. I was booed in half the arenas and now I’m booed in three-quarters of them. I heard people say, ‘You were our player.’ Not a chance was I your player. I play on a team in your city and I’m there to entertain you and you don’t own me. And the team doesn’t own me. They lease me for the length of my contract and I can be moved if they don’t like my lease, but I can’t ask for a trade?
“How many times have you seen a player go in the tank to get traded? Did I go into the tank? We wouldn’t even be sitting here talking about any of this if I had just played badly because they would have said, ‘We need to get rid of this bum. We overpaid for this clown.’ But I played hard, I did my job and I’m vilified now.”
Thank you Mr. Pronger.
THE VERDICT: Not guilty. Pronger’s reasons for leaving Edmonton were sound and Oiler fans, buoyed in part by a young, promising team, have for the most part moved on.
CHARGE NO. 3
CHRIS PRONGER IS CHARGED WITH TARNISHING HIS IMAGE.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Mr. Pronger is a former league MVP, Norris Trophy winner, Olympic champion, World Champion, World Junior Champion and multiple all-star and appears headed for the Hall of Fame based on his play. But he is in danger of leaving a legacy of on-ice indiscretion instead of on-ice excellence.
The court would like to call Colin Campbell as its first witness. Mr. Campbell, do you feel Mr. Pronger has taken his most recent suspensions to heart?
“The past two hearings, I would say he was very apologetic and contrite. In the last hearing it was probably one of the most contrite a player has ever been during a hearing. Does that condone what he did? No, but at least he admitted he had to tone his game down a little bit.
“Will he change? You have to ask the player. It’s one thing to be contrite and it’s another thing to walk the walk after you talk the talk.”
Thank you, Mr. Campbell.
We call as our next witness, GM Brian Burke.
Mr. Burke, do you get the sense Chris Pronger is concerned about his long-term legacy?
“A lot of guys whom the public thinks are warm and fuzzy try to cultivate an image. Chris just wants to play hockey and he wants his place in the game acknowledged. I think he’s sensitive about how he’s viewed as a hockey player, but as far as a PR campaign, it’s going to be a cold day in hell before he worries about what the public thinks. He cares what his family thinks and he cares about what his teammates think and that’s about the same list I have, too.”
Thank you, Mr. Burke.
The court now calls Chris Pronger.
Mr. Pronger, how do you feel about the public perception of you?
“I think that there’s a small fraction in Canada that might only remember me by whatever, but most hockey people know what I can do.”
THE VERDICT: No decision. What Pronger does over the course of his career will determine the final verdict.
CHARGE NO. 4
CHRIS PRONGER IS CHARGED WITH BEING A BAD PERSON.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Pronger’s on-ice demeanor, his forceful opinions and the residual effects from his Edmonton departure have seen him portrayed as something less than a model citizen.
The court would first like to call Mr. Bob Gassoff, Jr. He is the son of former NHL player Bob Gassoff and struck up a friendship with Mr. Pronger after the latter was traded to St. Louis in 1995. Mr. Gassoff played hockey at the University of Michigan and the U.S. Navy Seal Lieutenant recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.
Mr. Gassoff, you have known Mr. Pronger for about 13 years. In fact, his wife is a good friend of yours from the seventh grade.
“That’s right. I was just at his place for dinner last Monday. Usually you don’t look up to your friends, but I look up to Chris. I was in Iraq during the Stanley Cup final, but I followed the games on Armed Forces Radio. I called him after they won and I think he was pretty surprised to get a call from Iraq.
“Chris always has time for a friend. He has a very, soft, disarming demeanor away from the rink.”
Next, the court would like to call Pat Morris as a witness.
Mr. Morris, as a part of Mr. Pronger’s inner circle, what are your impressions of him as a person?
“He has a very warm side and he’s a true friend to those who are in his inner circle. He invited his billets from Peterborough to his Stanley Cup party. He had the Stanley Cup for two days and one day he took it to his hometown in Dryden, Ont. A friend of his parents was dying of cancer and he took the Cup to her. She died a week later, but seeing Chris with the Cup really lifted her spirits.
“One of his teammates in Peterborough, Ryan Black, suffered a tragedy in his life. He lost his wife. Chris flew him out to California to be at his Stanley Cup party.”
Mr. Pronger, please take the stand.
Are you concerned with how you’re perceived as a person?
“When I do things for people, I’m not doing it to get a puff-piece article or the King Clancy Award. I don’t need another trophy on my mantle to know that I can be a good person. I learned very early in Peterborough that if I’m a bit of a dick sometimes, only my real friends will ask me for something.”
THE VERDICT: Not guilty.
CHARGE NO. 5
CHRIS PRONGER IS CHARGED WITH BEING A DETRIMENT TO THE NHL.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Pronger’s on-ice indiscretions have affected a number of players, calling into question whether or not his style of play is a benefit to the NHL.
Our first witness is Brian Burke.
Mr. Burke, is Mr. Pronger a blight on hockey?
“People say he’s constantly getting suspended. He came into the league in 1993 and he’s had eight suspensions. If I’m not mistaken, that’s one about every two years and with the exception of the Kesler suspension, they’re small digits and they’re closely related to the play. Chris Pronger plays the ultimate Canadian style. He’s a very accomplished offensive player, he’s a very accomplished defensive player and he plays physical. That’s not going to change, nor should it.
“He gets booed because people don’t like players who play hard. This is the classic Canadian hockey player and that’s not popular unless he’s wearing your colors. If I put him on the market, I would have 29 teams, I’d get 29 offers for him.”
Please take the stand, Colin Campbell.
Does the NHL feel Mr. Pronger is a detriment to the game?
“You do if you’re his opponent. Other teams say he interferes too much on the forecheck and think he should be penalized for it. He’ll play you hard and won’t let up and in doing so, he gets his stick up, his arms up and he gets his elbows up. And he crosses the line. That’s the way he plays.”
The court would like to give Chris Pronger the final word in his defense. Was this latest incident indicative of the way you approach the game?
“In the last one, the guy is holding my leg and I’m trying to pull it out, I’m trying to pull my leg out and finally I’m like, ‘Get the (expletive) off my leg. Is that a hockey play? No. Is he making a hockey play? No. Is it my fault? Absolutely.
“When you’re wrong, admit your wrong. I’d like to think I’m not wrong very often, but when I know I’m wrong, I admit I’m wrong. I’m probably wrong more often than I’d like to think.”
THE VERDICT: Not guilty…yet.
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