Blues to retire Chris Pronger’s number next season

Team North America defenceman Chris Pronger (right), of the St.Louis Blues, shares a laugh with his NHL teammate, goaltender Roman Turek of the World Team during a break in the skills competition at the NHL All-Star weekend in Toronto, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000. (Kevin Frayer/CP)

Chris Pronger will have his No. 44 retired by the St. Louis Blues next season.

The former NHL defenceman played 598 regular season games over nine seasons with the Blues after being acquired by them from the Hartford Whalers in 1995. During his time in St. Louis, he made the all-star game four times and was a consistent Norris Trophy finalist.

Pronger, 45, was told the news on Saturday night by former defence partner Al MacInnis during a private event with the team’s Hall of Fame season ticket holders.

The Dryden, Ont., native was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and is the eighth player to have his number retired by St. Louis.

Pronger’s career spanned 18 seasons and he also played for Edmonton, Anaheim and Philadelphia while winning a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007.

An exact date for the ceremony has yet to be determined.

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