Edgar Laprade's playmaking skill, two-way play and relentless work ethic made him a standout forward and a fan favorite during his 10 NHL seasons, all with the New York Rangers.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993, Laprade had 280 points (108 goals, 172 assists) in 500 NHL games. At 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, he overcame his lack of size with his smooth skating and determination, earning the nickname "Beaver" for his for non-stop play in all areas of the ice, excelling offensively and as a checking forward and penalty killer.

A native of Port Arthur, Ontario, Laprade initially resisted efforts by the Rangers to lure him to the NHL. Teaming with his older brother, Burt, a defenseman, Laprade starred as an amateur with his hometown Port Arthur Bearcats of Thunder Bay Senior Hockey League from 1938-39 through 1942-43 before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps during World War II.

Laprade scored 31 goals in 25 regular-season games and 22 goals in 13 playoff games in 1938-39 to help Port Arthur win the Allan Cup as Canada's senior champions. Laprade missed his chance to represent Canada at the 1940 Sapporo Olympics when the event was canceled because of World War II.

In 1945 Laprade joined the Rangers. He won Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie as a 26-year-old in 1945-46 when he had 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) 49 games. He had an NHL career-high 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 59 games in 1947-48.

Known for his discipline, Laprade had 42 career penalty minutes, including three seasons when he was not called for a penalty (1945-46, 1950-51 and 1954-55). He had two penalty minutes, along with an NHL career-high 22 goals in 60 games, in 1949-50, when he won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability.

That also was the season Laprade came closest to winning the Stanley Cup. He had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to help the Rangers reach Game 7 of the 1950 Stanley Cup Final but they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in double overtime in Game 7.

Laprade had five points (one goal, four assists) in six games in his only other playoff appearance, in 1948, when the Rangers lost to the Red Wings in the NHL Semifinals.

He died April 28, 2014, at age 94.