Easy choice

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"It's probably because I've been through everything in my career that a player could possibly go through," Pronger told sportsnet.ca. "I lost in the Stanley Cup final; I won the Cup; I won gold in the Olympics; I lost in the Olympics; I was a young player who got into a little bit of trouble. I've done it all. I think the younger players can come to me with just about anything."

Pronger being named captain of the Flyers is no surprise whatsoever. He has been a captain in St. Louis and in Anaheim. This time, he said, is a little different. He replaces Mike Richards who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this summer.

"In St. Louis (Brett) Hull was on his way out and in Anaheim Scott (Niedermayer) quit," Pronger said.

Pronger, who had five surgeries last season, is working hard at getting ready for the 2011-12 season and is keeping his fingers crossed he'll be ready for the opening game.

"I'm doing a little more each day," he said. "It looks like I'll be ready, but you never know. I haven't been hit yet."

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.