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Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Who Deserve Retired Numbers

By Mike Jack

Nov 25, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The honored numbers of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Johnny Bower (1) and Red Kelly (4) and Ace Bailey (6) hang from the rafters before the start of the game against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The honored numbers of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Johnny Bower (1) and Red Kelly (4) and Ace Bailey (6) hang from the rafters before the start of the game against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 16: The Hart Memorial Trophy is displayed at MGM (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 16: The Hart Memorial Trophy is displayed at MGM (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Babe Pratt (D) – Toronto Maple Leafs (1942-1946)

Walter Peter Pratt only played four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but in that time he was a league leader and record breaking defenseman playing the best seasons of his Hall of Fame career.

Babe Pratt is one of only two players in Toronto Maple Leafs history to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.  The only other player is Ted Kennedy who has his number retired by the team.

Pratt also set an NHL record for most assists by a defenseman in one game with six assists while he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The only players with more assists in one game are Wayne Gretzky and Billy Taylor who each tallied seven assists and are both forwards.

The 1945 Stanley Cup winning goal was scored by Babe Pratt in game seven of the finals versus the Detroit Red Wings.

Pratt played before the Norris trophy was introduced in 1954, but if it were around back then he may have won at least once with the Maple Leafs, especially the year he won the Hart trophy.  In four seasons in Toronto, Pratt led all NHL defensemen in points twice, goals once, and assists all four seasons.

Babe Pratt wore #2 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so while they’re raising his banner, they might as well raise Carl Brewer’s #2 as well.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #49
Hart Memorial Trophy Winner 1944
1st NHL All-Star Team 1944
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1945
Stanley Cup Champion 1945
#96 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
NHL Record for Most Assists in One Game by a Defenseman (6)
Toronto Maple Leafs Record for Most Assists in One Game (6)
Led NHL Defensemen in Goals 1943-44
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists four times
Led NHL Defensemen in Points twice
Top 10 in NHL Assists for one season
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for four seasons

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