Babe Pratt

The Hart Trophy-winning defenceman who scored the 1945 Cup winner and returned from suspension to finish strong.

Walter Peter 'Babe' Pratt (January 7, 1916 – December 16, 1988) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and left winger who played for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins between 1935 and 1947. A pivotal figure in two Stanley Cup victories, he won the Hart Trophy in 1944 as the league's most valuable player. His career included a dramatic suspension for gambling in January 1946, followed by reinstatement and a final season with Boston. Pratt was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966 and later served as a CBC analyst and Vancouver Canucks ambassador until his death in a media lounge during a game.

Quick Facts

Position

Defence

Shoots

Left

Played for

New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins

Born

7 January 1916

Birthplace

Stony Mountain, Manitoba, Canada

Died

16 December 1988

Place of death

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Hall of Fame

1966

Lore & Background

In 1944, he earned NHL First All-Star Team honours on defence while capturing the Hart Memorial Trophy. The following year, his leadership was instrumental as the Toronto Maple Leafs captured the Stanley Cup; Pratt scored the game-winning goal in that Final series. Despite these highs, his tenure faced a severe low in January 1946 when he was caught betting on hockey games and suspended from the NHL. Pratt admitted to gambling but denied ever betting against his own team. After promising to quit betting, he was reinstated to the Maple Leafs before moving to the Boston Bruins for the 1946–47 season, which became his last in the league.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Babe Pratt's career path, note his versatility as a defenceman who also played left winger. His journey began with the New York Rangers (winning the 1940 Cup), moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs (winning the 1945 Cup and winning the 1944 Hart Trophy), and concluded with the Boston Bruins in 1946–47. He holds a unique record tied for most assists by a defenceman in one game with six. Beyond his playing days, Pratt remained active in hockey media as an analyst for CBC's Hockey Night In Canada from Vancouver in the 1970s and served as a goodwill ambassador for the Vancouver Canucks. His life ended tragically on December 16, 1988, during a Canucks game at the Pacific Coliseum, where he suffered a heart attack in the media lounge.

Did You Know?

The Vancouver Canucks honored his memory by stitching 'BABE' on their sweaters for the remainder of the 1988 season following his death.
In 2009, he was ranked No. 47 all-time among Rangers players in the book '100 Ranger Greats'.