Chris Pronger was always known for being a hard-hitting defenseman. It’s his latest hit during the NHL’s All-Star Weekend that may be his most memorable.
The 6-foot-6 Pronger drove singer Justin Bieber into the boards during the 2017 NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout.
Chris Pronger could’ve just ended Justin Bieber's life pic.twitter.com/XffnH4A5xl
— Spittin' Chiclets (@StoolChiclets) January 28, 2017
Definitely a bit of a Chris Pronger/Justin Bieber rivalry building here. pic.twitter.com/U6L7lQdIrI
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) January 28, 2017
Damian Echevarrieta, VP of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, joked the next day that the hit would be subject to review.
The Department of Player Safety will have a hearing tomorrow morning with Chris Pronger for his Check from Behind on @justinbieber pic.twitter.com/UPK9pVuMWp
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) January 29, 2017
Speaking at the Philadelphia Flyers’ Captain’s Night, during which the team honored those who’d worn the ‘C’ in the City of Brotherly Love, Pronger commented on the hit.
He joked that he’d given himself a $5 fine for the play.
“[It was] just good fun,” Pronger said. “A little massage to his back, a little face wash. I tried to hit the full spectrum.”
Pronger, who’s still on the active roster of the Arizona Coyotes on Long-Term Injured Reserve, has been part of the Department of Player Safety since 2014. He was suspended eight times during his 19-year National Hockey League career. He played his last game on November 19, 2011. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. Pronger’s contract expires at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Pronger didn’t apologize for the hit, but it’s not too late now to say sorry…
