Revisiting Calder Trophy Seasons: Edgar Laprade’s 1945-46 Season

The Hockey Writers revisits Edgar Laprade's 1945-46 debut season with the New York Rangers, which earned him the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. After serving in the military, Laprade made his league debut on October 31, 1945, in a 5-1 loss against Chicago. He went on to lead all first-year players with 15 goals and 34 points in 49 regular-season games, surpassing George Gee of the Blackhawks.

Laprade spent his entire 500-game NHL regular-season career with the Rangers, recording 108 goals and 280 points before retiring in 1955. Over his career, he made four All-Star appearances, reached the 1950 Stanley Cup Final, won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1949-50, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.