NYR TODAY MONDAY 8/27: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/27:

Karel Rachunek D (2003-04,2006-07) Doug Robinson LW (1964-1967)

Today in NYR History 8/27:

1966: Rangers Alumni Max Bentley and Babe Pratt are among 10 new inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Other members of the Class of 1966 include Toe Blake, Elmer Lach, Ted Lindsay, Butch Bouchard, Frank Brimsek, Ken Reardon,  Ted Kennedy and Longtime NHL President Clarence Campbell.

Bentley's rights were sold to Rangers by Toronto on August 11, 1953, he spent his final NHL season with the Rangers in 1953–54 until retireing in 1955 at the age of 33. In 57 games as a Blueshirt he totaled 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points with 15 penalty minutes. Maxwas the brother of another former Rangers player, Doug Bentley.

RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 8, 1953 (Rangers at Detroit Red Wings)

FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
March 21, 1954 (Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens)

MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1966

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 50
Minor-league teams: Saskatoon (WHL) 1954-1955)

MISCELLANEOUS
Nickname: Dipsy Doodle Dandy
Full name: Maxwell Herbert L. Bentley
Uniform Numbers: 10, 22
Retired from pro hockey: 1955

Pratt was scouted and signed by Rangers as free agent on October 18, 1935 until being traded by Rangers to Toronto in exchange for Hank Goldup and Red Garrett on November 27, 1942.

Pratt was one of several future Hall of Famers who broke into the NHL with the Rangers in the 1930, Pratt was discovered by Rangers coach Lester Patrick while he was attending Patrick`s hockey school at Winnipeg in 1934. The Rangers signed him the following year, and he opened the 1935-36 season with the Blueshirts` minor-league affiliate in Philadelphia.

Once Pratt arrived in the NHL for good in January 1936, he emerged as a fan favorite and pillar on defense for the Blueshirts. He was part of the Rangers` 1940 Stanley Cup championship team and went on to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL`s MVP with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1943-44. In 305 regular season games in New York he totaled 27 goals and 97 assists for 124 points, in 39 playoff games he tallied 9 golas and 8 assists for 17 points.

Seasons with Rangers: 8 (1936-1942)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 308
Playoff Games with Rangers: 39

RANGERS DEBUT
Jan. 28, 1936 (Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens)

MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1966

RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most penalty minutes — 1940-41, 1941-42
Most playoff goals — 1937 (tie)
Most playoff penalty minutes — 1942

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 28
Minor-league teams: Philadelphia (Can-Am) 1935-36

MISCELLANEOUS
Nickname: Babe
Full name: Walter Basil Pratt
Uniform Numbers: 11, 2
Stanley Cup Champion: 1940
Retired from pro hockey: 1952

1987: The Rangers trade Peter Sundstrom to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the 1988 5th round draft pick (#99-Martin Bergeron).