Babe Pratt
Two-time Stanley Cup champion and Hart Trophy winner.
Walter Peter "Babe" Pratt was a Canadian pro hockey player who suited up as a defenceman and left winger for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins from 1935 to 1947. He helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1940 and the Maple Leafs win it in 1945, and took home the Hart Trophy in 1944. Pratt entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966.
In January 1946, the NHL suspended Pratt for betting on hockey games. He admitted to gambling but said he never bet against his own team. After promising to stop, he was allowed back with the Maple Leafs. His final NHL season was 1946–47 with the Bruins, after which he played in the minors.
Later, Pratt worked as a TV analyst for CBC's *Hockey Night in Canada* broadcasts from Vancouver in the 1970s and served as a goodwill ambassador for the Vancouver Canucks. He died of a heart attack in the media lounge at the Pacific Coliseum during the first intermission of a Canucks game on December 16, 1988. The Canucks honored him by stitching "BABE" on their jerseys for the rest of that season. In 1998, *The Hockey News* ranked him 96th on its list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 3
- Weight Lb
- 212
- Played For
- New York Rangers / Toronto Maple Leafs / Boston Bruins
- Birth Date
- 1916-01-07
- Birth Place
- Stony Mountain, Manitoba, Canada
- Death Date
- 1988-12-16
- Death Place
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Career Start
- 1935
- Career End
- 1952
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Babe Pratt was an important member of two Stanley Cup winning teams: the 1940 New York Rangers and the 1945 Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Hart Trophy in 1944 and was named to the NHL First All-Star team on defence that same year, followed by a Second All-Star team selection in 1945. In January 1946, Pratt was caught betting on hockey games and was subsequently suspended from the NHL. He admitted to gambling but denied ever placing a bet against his own team. After promising to quit betting, he was reinstated to the Toronto Maple Leafs. His last NHL season was with the Boston Bruins in 1946–47, and he played in the minors after that.
Reader's Guide
Pratt's significance lies in his on-ice achievements and his later role as a broadcaster and ambassador. He was a key contributor to two Stanley Cup championships, scored the game-winning goal for the Maple Leafs in the 1945 Stanley Cup Final, and tied for most assists by a defenceman in one game with six. His Hart Trophy win in 1944 marked him as the league's most valuable player. After his playing career, he worked as an analyst for CBC Television's Hockey Night In Canada telecasts from Vancouver in the 1970s and served as a goodwill ambassador for the Vancouver Canucks. Pratt died of a heart attack in the media lounge of the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver during the first intermission of a Canucks game on December 16, 1988. The Canucks honored his memory by stitching 'BABE' on their sweaters for the remainder of the season. In 1998, he was ranked number 96 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
Did You Know?
- Pratt won the Hart Trophy in 1944 as the NHL's most valuable player.
- He scored the game-winning goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1945 Stanley Cup Final.
- In January 1946, Pratt was suspended from the NHL for betting on hockey games.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Defencemen 1-24
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