Edgar Laprade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edgar Laprade |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1993 | |||
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| Born | October 10, 1919 Mine Centre, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | April 28, 2014 (aged 94) Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | ||
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers (NHL) Port Arthur Bearcats (TBSHL) |
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| Playing career | 1945–1955 | ||
Edgar Louis "Beaver" Laprade (born October 10, 1919 – died April 28, 2014) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Edgar was born in Mine Centre, Ontario, Canada. When he was four, his family moved to Port Arthur, Ontario. He also played for the Port Arthur Bearcats before joining the NHL.
Playing Hockey
Edgar Laprade began his hockey journey with the Port Arthur Bruins. He was a fantastic scorer for them. In 1938–39, he joined the Port Arthur Bearcats. He continued to score many goals. He was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of his league twice. He also helped the Bearcats win the Allan Cup in 1939–40. The Allan Cup is a championship trophy for amateur ice hockey in Canada.
After the 1942–43 season, Edgar joined the army. He still played hockey while serving. In 1944–45, he played for the Barriefield Bears. Then, he moved on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). He joined the New York Rangers.
In his first NHL season (1945–46), Edgar scored 34 points. This means he had 15 goals and 19 assists. His great start earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the best rookie player in the NHL. He also played in the very first NHL All-Star Game in 1947. He was chosen for the All-Star Game three more times after that.
Edgar was known for being a very clean player. He played three full seasons without getting a single penalty! Because of this, he won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1949–50. This award goes to the player who shows the best sportsmanship. In that same season, the Rangers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. This is the championship series of the NHL. They played against the Detroit Red Wings. It was a very close series, going to a Game 7. The Rangers lost in overtime. This was the closest Edgar came to winning the Stanley Cup. He played five more seasons with the Rangers before he retired. In 1993, he was honored by being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Life After Hockey
In 1939, Edgar married Arline Whear. She was his coach's niece. They had three daughters together.
After he stopped playing hockey, Edgar started a business. He opened a sporting goods store with a partner, Guy Perciante. Their store, Perciante & Laprade Sporting Goods Limited, was in Thunder Bay. They ran the store for 30 years. They also owned and managed a hockey arena.
Edgar also served his community in other ways. He was a member of the city council in Port Arthur and then Thunder Bay. He served from 1959 to 1970 and again from 1972 to 1973. He also helped lead Confederation College and Lakehead University.
Edgar Laprade passed away at his home in Thunder Bay on April 28, 2014. He was 94 years old.
Awards and Achievements
- Selected as TBSHL MVP in 1939 and 1941.
- Allan Cup champion in 1939.
- Calder Memorial Trophy winner in 1946.
- Played in the 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1950 NHL All-Star Games.
- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner in 1950.
- Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.
- Ranked No. 24 all-time among New York Rangers players in the book 100 Ranger Greats.
