Pronger Agrees to Extension

Chris Pronger, the NHL’s most valuable player last season, has agreed to a contract extension with the St. Louis Blues that will make him one of the league’s highest-paid players.

The Blues and Pronger announced the deal at a news conference Thursday in St. Louis, before the team’s game against the Calgary Flames.

Pronger signed a three-year, $29.5-million deal beginning in the 2001-02 season. He will get a $1-million signing bonus and earn $9.5 million a year for each of the three seasons, according to his agent, Pat Morris.

“Without question, it’s a great day in the history of the franchise,” owner Bill Laurie said.

Pronger, 26, is in the final season of a contract that pays him $4.675 million annually. Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers, at $7.68 million for this season, is currently the NHL’s highest-paid defenseman. Peter Forsberg of the Colorado Avalanche and Paul Kariya of the Mighty Ducks, each earning $10 million, are the league’s highest-paid players.