Report: Pronger now eligible for Hall of Fame induction

Former NHL defenseman Chris Pronger is reportedly now eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame thanks to a change in the eligibility criteria.

The Hall's general voting members ratified several new bylaws on Wednesday, one of which changed the language pertaining to the three-year waiting period, reported ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

From the report:

Within new bylaw No. 26, the key section reads: 'a person is not eligible for election in the player category if he or she has played in a professional or international hockey game (which terms shall not be considered to include games played only or primarily for charitable or recreational purposes, or for any other limited purpose that the Chair of the Board of Directors determines, in his or her discretion, should not disqualify for nomination a person otherwise eligible) during any of the three (3) playing seasons immediately prior to his or her election.'

That means Pronger, who hasn't played since the 2011-12 season, becomes immediately eligible despite remaining under contract with the Philadelphia Flyers until 2017.

Under the previous eligibility rules, he would have had to wait until three years after the expiration of his contract.

This year's Hall of Fame class will be determined by the selection committee in meetings to be held on June 28 and 29.

Pronger registered 698 points in 1,167 regular-season games, along with 121 points in 173 postseason contests. 

He won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in 2000 and won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. He was also a six-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist.