Today, April 1st, it was announced the Arizona Coyotes will honor the legendary Chris Pronger’s cap hit. The Coyotes officially acquired the hit on June 27, 2015 when then general manager Don Maloney acquired Pronger and Nicklas Grossmann in exchange for Sam Gagner and a conditional draft pick.

“When I had the chance to acquire Chris Pronger’s cap hit I just couldn’t resist,” said Don Maloney. “It’s not every day you get a chance to add a Hall of Fame defenseman.”

In honor of Pronger’s cap hit the Coyotes plan to officially retire his cap hit of $4,941,429 next season when the Philadelphia Flyers play in Arizona. To honor Pronger, both teams will warm up in jerseys with the number 4,941,429 which will be auctioned off for charity during the third period.

“It makes perfect since that no Coyotes’ player will be able to wear 4,941,429 after next season,” stated current General Manager John Chayka. “Pronger is an absolute legend and it’s great we are finally doing the right thing.”

Chayka was an assistant general manager when the Coyotes acquired the Hall of Famer. “We were initially just interested in getting Grossmann, but when Philadelphia floated that Pronger may be available we couldn’t turn it down,” continued GM Chayka. “It taught me that when you get a chance to acquire a legendary cap hit you have to take it.”

When asked on how he felt about the trade that brought him to Philadelphia, Gagner stated, “how many people can say they were traded for Chris Pronger? Great players like Brendan Shanahan and Joffrey Lupul twice somehow but it’s still a pretty small club.”

In honor of the contribution Pronger’s cap hit has made to the organization, a giant check in the order of $4,941,429 will be raised to the rafters at Gila River Arena, adjacent Doan’s #19. Limited edition license plate replicas of the check will also be available in the months preceding the ceremony through the Arizona Department of Transportation. Funds raised will go toward future ceremonies, such as the much anticipated Dave Bolland cap hit celebration, expected to be announced next year.