Anaheim Ducks History: The Top Five Captains

Chris Pronger

It’s no secret Chris Pronger did his best work during the 2006-07 season, but the following season was turbulent for the Anaheim Ducks. Superstar Teemu Selanne, who had scored 48 goals the previous season, was mulling retirement for most of the season before returning about two-thirds of the way through the campaign. Dustin Penner bought “a whole lotta pancakes” with the money Edmonton threw his way in the process of throwing his career away. Captain Scott Niedermayer was considering a retirement of his own, returning about halfway through the season.

Someone had to step in and right this faltering ship. That, someone, was Chris Pronger. He had to lead the salary cap plagued team into the season. Remember, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were young and inexperienced at the time. The team had to start on the road against the crosstown rivals the Los Angeles Kings. Unfortunately, the game wasn’t across town at Staples Center. No, they met in London. Not London, Ontario; it was London, England, eight time zones away.

Pronger kept the team focused during a rough start to the season, He remained captain even after Niedermayer and Selanne returned to the team. They finished the season with 102 points. That was the third highest total in the Western Conference that season. before dropping their first-round series to Dallas. Pronger kept the wheels on that bonfire of a team until firemen like Bob Murray could put out the flames. That’s the type of player Chris Pronger was.