When we look at the Carolina Hurricanes, new fans see a thriving southern hockey market. However, older fans remember them as the transplants of the iconic Hartford Whalers. Starting from 1993, we can follow a single trade tree and figure out why the Whalers failed to succeed in Connecticut and why the Hurricanes won the Cup in 2006. It all starts with a young kid from Dryden, Ontario. It all starts with Chris Pronger.
Many don’t remember the Whalers drafting Pronger, but his career began in the Hartford Civic Center. Well, his NHL career began in Hartford, but his promising career in the junior leagues earned him the second overall pick in 1993. His career started in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes, and his success in junior hockey made him such an attractive choice with the second-overall pick. If his time was less successful, who knows what would have happened?
Pronger’s Time in Peterborough
Pronger debuted with the Peterborough Petes in 1991-92. He played 63 games with the Petes, scoring 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 points. Is it worth noting that this is a defenseman? He was 16 and was a point-per-game player in junior hockey. The following season, he played in 61 games. That’s okay because he had 15 goals and 62 assists for 77 points as the Petes made the playoffs.
When the Petes made the OHL postseason, they played 21 games. During those games, Pronger scored 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points to help lead the Petes to the OHL championship. This earned him a reputation as a strong playoff performer before he got to the NHL, and only increased his draft stock. Leading into the 1993 Draft, he was expected to be a top pick. He was such an outstanding prospect that the Whalers traded to get him. They moved from seventh overall to second, trading with the San Jose Sharks to get the Pronger pick.
Pronger’s Time in Hartford
Pronger made his NHL debut in the following season as an 18-year-old, and he looked right at home on the big stage. In his first season, he played 81 games and scored five goals and 25 assists for 30 points. It was good enough to get Pronger voted to the 1994-95 season All-Rookie Team. He played just 43 games the following season, but this season was cut short by a lockout. He had five goals and nine assists that season, and his value dropped.
Fans had questions about Pronger’s ability to endure the pressure of the NHL despite the Whalers finishing…
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