"As in life, some things in hockey also go without saying.

For instance, the question of who would inherit the "C" on the Flyers after Mike Richards left for Los Angeles was a no-brainer.

It had to be Chris Pronger, even though Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen were more than qualified, as well.

On the eve of training camp opening, the Flyers announced late Friday afternoon (again) that Pronger would be their 18th captain for the 2011-12 season.

The soon-to-be 37-year-old becomes the fifth defenseman in Flyer history to wear the "C." Richards captained the Flyers from 2008-09 until the end of last season."