Pronger Gives MacInnis the "C"

Since 1997 Chris Pronger has been the Blues captain, which marks the second-longest tenure in team history. Yesterday Pronger put an end to his captaincy, handing the reigns over to veteran defenseman Al MacInnis. Pronger spent most of the 2002-2003 season on the bench, battling wrist and knee injuries and MacInnis filled in as captain. Pronger said the move will allow him to concentrate on getting healthy, which he thinks is more important to the team than being captain. MacInnis, who is a sure-shot for the Hall of Fame, will retire at the end of the season. This will be his 23rd season in the NHL, and his tenth with St. Louis. His first 13 seasons were played in Calgary.