Ducks' Pronger suspended for eight games
Chris Pronger

TSN.ca Staff

3/15/2008 3:45:09 PM

The National Hockey League has handed Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger an eight-game suspension for stomping on Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler in a game Wednesday night.

The team has nine games remaining in the regular season, starting Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues. He is eligible to return for the team's final game on Apr. 6 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

"I'd like to apologize to Ryan Kesler, the Vancouver Canucks, my teammates and the National Hockey League for my actions last Wednesday night," Pronger said in a statement Saturday. "While I did not intend to injure Ryan, I respect the league's decision on this matter and look forward to returning to the ice and leading my teammates into the playoffs."

The league initially chose not to punish the Ducks' captain because it didn't have proper video evidence to review the incident, but the NHL saw a new angle on Thursday night with a closer view.

The decision came after Pronger had a phone hearing with NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell on Saturday afternoon. "In attempting to free himself, Pronger carelessly and recklessly brought his foot down," Campbell said in a league statement.
 
Pronger, considered a repeat offender, will forfeit $609,756.08 in salary with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

"That's what the league has decided," said Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle on Saturday. "We have to live with the consequences and deal with that. Now it's an opportunity, that's why you acquire players at the trade deadline and have depth in your lineup.

"We have the choice between (Marc-Andre) Bergeron and (Joe) DiPenta to go in. That's just the way it is and we move forward."

While the original game footage showed the incident from a distance as the puck was being cleared out of Anaheim's zone, the second version zoomed in on Kesler and Pronger as they got tangled along the back boards. The incident happened in the opening minute of the second period in Anaheim's zone after a dump in from the blue line by Canucks defenceman Sami Salo.

Kesler - one of two Canuck forwards who chased down the puck behind the goal line - collided with Pronger along the boards and fell, and it looked as though Kesler wrapped his legs around Pronger's feet. The Ducks captain appeared to disengage from Kesler, but there was also a form of a stomp or a push with some downward motion from his foot.

Pronger said 'surprised' was not his first reaction to the NHL's verdict. "I don't think '˜surprised' would be the word," he explained on the team's official website. "I think looking at other precedents and other situations that have happened, certainly as a league we don't condone these types of incidents and obviously want to put these behind us and talk about the important parts of the game."

It's the eighth time that Pronger has been suspended in his 14-year NHL career and his third in less than a year.

Last May, he received a one-game suspension for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, and was suspended for a game in June for hitting Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head with his forearm in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

"We understand the NHL's determination to reduce skate-blade incidents and accept the process and Mr. Campbell's judgment," said Ducks general manager Brian Burke in a team-released statement.

"We also stand behind our captain, a player with great character and leadership qualities that are critical to our club."

Career suspensions for defenceman Chris Pronger:

March 15, 2008 - With Anaheim, eight games for stomping on the leg of Vancouver F Ryan Kesler.

June 3, 2007 - With Anaheim, one playoff game for hit to the head of Ottawa C Dean McAmmond.

May 15, 2007 - With Anaheim, one playoff game for elbow to the head of Detroit F Tomas Holmstrom.

March 14, 2004 - With St. Louis, one regular-season game for kicking Calgary F Ville Nieminen.

April 3, 2002 - With St. Louis, two regular-season games for cross-checking Dallas F Brenden Morrow.

Oct. 11, 2000 - With St. Louis, one game for leaving bench for altercation for Atlanta F Kelly Buchberger.

Dec. 17, 1998 - With St. Louis, four games for high-sticking Phoenix C Jeremy Roenick.

Oct. 29, 1995 - With St. Louis, four games for slashing Washington F Pat Peake.