Chris Pronger – Ontario Hockey League

 

Chris Pronger wasn’t sure that the OHL was the right place for him.

After an outstanding 1990-91 season with the Stratford Cullitons Jr. B program, Pronger planned on playing another year of Jr. B before following his brother Sean to a collegiate career in the U.S. The Petes saw Pronger’s potential and risked a sixth-round pick on the giant rearguard.

“At first I thought it would be better for me to wait and then go south next year,” Pronger said during his rookie season with the Petes when he scored 17 goals and 62 points in 63 games. “By then I decided playing at a better level this season would be better for my development.”

The Dryden, Ont. native’s development definitely took off. He scored 15 goals and 77 points as sophomore and as named defenceman of the year by both the OHL and the Canadian Hockey League. Pronged also helped the Petes win the regular season championship and followed it up with the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. The Petes advanced to the final game of the Memorial Cup, but lost 4-2 to the host Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

“Winning the top defenceman honour is something I will cherish the rest of my life,” said Pronger, who edged out WHL nominee Jason Smith of the Regina Pats and Benoit Larose of the QMJHL Laval Titan. “I wasn’t expecting to win it. The other two nominees were excellent. Any one of us could have won it.”

That summer, Pronger was the second overall pick in the 1993 NHL Draft, following Alexandre Dangle from Victoriaville in the QMJHL.

“Playing for the Petes, an organization full of talent, helped me develop and elevate my game and make the necessary strides to the NHL,” Pronger said. “I think it prepared me a great deal with the way we were coached and the way the league is structured – the competitive balance and the competitive nature of the OHL and CHL as a whole. Nothing comes easy; you have to work for what you want. Some people learn later in life and some learn early, but eventually hard work will pay off.”

Ironically, Dangle was quoted at the draft as being happy to be No. 1 because no one ever remembers who was No. 2.

“We’ll see about that in five years,” said Pronger, who made the NHL’s all-rookie team as a member of the Hartford Whalers. “I’m excited about being drafted by Hartford and making my mark.”

Pronger backed it up and went on to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman and the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player seven years later. He’d play 18 NHL seasons, hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 while also winning a pair of Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2002 and 2010.