Flyers’ GM: ‘Pronger will never play again’

Chris Pronger says his former coach Randy Carlyle is "a hardnosed coach that wants his teams to play hard and disciplined.” (Tom Mihalek/AP)

 

Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger is officially, unofficially retired.

In an interview with The Hockey News, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed that the 39-year-old defenceman’s playing days are over.

“I’ll say it, Chris is never going to play again,” Holmgren said. “I have no problems saying it.”

Pronger hasn’t played since 2011 as a result of post-concussion symptoms and an eye injury.

Pronger is due $7 million in salary next season and $4 million in 2014-15. According to the Hockey News, if he were to officially retire now, he’d forfeit the cash and the Flyers would renain on the hook for the cap hit the next four seasons.

The Flyers signed Pronger to a seven-year, $34.55 million contract in 2009.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsnet, Dan Murphy sat down with Pronger in March to discuss the veteran rearguard’s career. Watch the two-part interview below:

Part 1

Part 2

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