Chris Pronger stepped down from his role with the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
The Hockey Hall of Famer, who last played in the NHL in 2011, had been the senior vice president of hockey operations for the Panthers. Pronger was hired as a senior adviser to president of hockey operations and general manager Dale Tallon in 2016 after three years with the NHL Player Safety department.
"I want to personally thank the (owners) Viola family, (CEO) Doug Cifu, Dale Tallon and all of the staff with the Florida Panthers," Pronger said in a statement. "I was able to grow as an executive and more importantly as a person in my three years with the hockey club. I wish the Panthers organization nothing but the best in the upcoming playoffs and years to come."
A former defenseman, Pronger said he was stepping down to focus on his business, Well Inspired Travels, which he founded with his wife, Lauren. The luxury travel company caters to elite athletes, executives and business owners.
The No. 2 pick by the Harford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Draft, Pronger scored 698 points (157 goals, 541 assists) in 1,167 regular-season games over 18 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues and Whalers. He scored 121 points (26 goals, 95 assists) in 173 Stanley Cup Playoff games and won the Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007.
"We want to thank Chris for his invaluable contributions to the Florida Panthers organization," Tallon said. "Since joining our hockey operations staff in 2017, Chris approached his role with great passion and provided our team with a fresh and unique perspective. A true professional, champion and proud family man, we wish Chris, Lauren and the Pronger family the very best in their new business endeavor, Well Inspired Travels."
A four-time NHL All-Star Team selection, Pronger won the Norris Trophy voted as best defenseman in the NHL and the Hart Trophy as League MVP in 1999-2000. He was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history during the League's centennial celebration in 2017 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Blues will retire Pronger's No. 44 next season.
The Panthers did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of Pronger's first two seasons but were 35-26-8 (.565 points percentage) in the regular season and will enter the Stanley Cup Qualifiers as the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will play the No. 7 seed, the New York Islanders (35-23-10, .588), in one of eight best-of-5 series and the winner will advance to the playoffs. The loser will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery.
