Pronger headed to Albany

Pronger couldn't escape the cameras of the Rover Report as he left Iqaluit Friday morning

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Nine days after stunning the Rovers and the rest of the RHL world with his trade request, Chris Pronger has had his wish granted. The all-star defenseman has been traded to the Albany Straphangers in exchange for defensemen Keith Carney, Sandis Ozolinsh, forward prospect Christopher Higgins, and a first round draft pick. The teams also exchange third round picks in the deal. "It's not easy to trade away the best defenseman in the league", GM Stringer said of the transaction. "We had a number of teams that were seriously interested, but the StrapHangers were very keen on retooling their blueline and the deal went from there".

In Carney, the Rovers receive one of the best defensive defensemen in the game. He played 59 games last season for the StrapHangers, recording seven assists. Ozolinsh split last season between the Thundercats and the 'Hangers, posting 11 goals and 32 pts for the year. Higgins scored 23 goals last season for his club team and is expected to make a push to join the Rovers in RHL17. "Overall we accomplished what we needed to in the deal", Stringer reflected. "Carney gives us someone to plug into the top pairing and Ozo gives us some depth, while Higgins and the first set us up for the future. Nobody wants to lose a Pronger from their team, but I think we've covered the interests of the Rovers this year and down the road".