Chris Pronger could be a member of the NHL’s next Hockey Hall of Fame class.
According to ESPN.com, the Hall of Fame changed the language in its bylaws earlier this week, allowing Pronger to be eligible even though his contract with the Philadelphia Flyers is not yet completed.
From ESPN.com:
The new language resolved any ambiguity as it pertained to players who haven’t played in three years but might still be getting paid and haven’t officially retired due to salary-cap reasons in the NHL. Pronger, 40, is a prime example, having last played in November 2011 and whose career ended earlier than expected because of post-concussion issues.
The Hall of Fame felt this change was important since a more objective test will apply to the three-year waiting rule, without the need to verify contractual or medical issues, and there are and might be other cases like this going forward in the salary-cap system.
Pronger’s contract expires at the end of the 2016-17 season. Under previous rules, he wouldn’t have been eligible until 2020. Concussions and an eye injury forced Pronger to put aside his playing career.
He last appeared in an NHL game on Nov. 19, 2011.
The five-time all-star was selected second overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Draft. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks before being traded to Philadelphia before the 2009-10 season. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2006-07.
