The Aftermath of World War II For The Rangers

In the years following World War II the Rangers boasted two of the most likeable centers in franchise history.

Furthermore, Don Raleigh and Edgar Laprade owned two of the best nicknames – ever.

Raleigh was "Bones," while Laprade was "Bearcat," as in Bearcat On The Prowl.

Each was a marvel in his own way. Raleigh was wonderful rushing the puck – sometimes end to end – and proved a clutch overtime scorer in the 1950 seven-game Cup Final with Detroit.

Laprade's stickhandling was elite-to-the-radical-50 as was his radar passing. There were times on a Ranger penalty kill that Edgar could control the puck for almost the entire PK.

The pair shared the same debits. They were Lighthorse Harrys who could be pushed around by the Boston brutes and Maple Leaf maulers.

As for their nicknames, Laprade earned his while stickhandling for the amateur Port Arthur (Ontario) Bearcats. One headline had Edgar as A BEARCAT ON THE PROWL.

Raleigh became "Bones" because of New York Journal-American hockey writer Barney Kremenko. The day of a Rangers game Kremenko spent the afternoon at Belmont Race Track.

He bet on a longshot named Bag of Bones and won a small fortune. Then he came to the Old Garden and watched skinny Don Raleigh score a hat trick.

"I'm nicknaming you Bag Of Bones because that horse did well by me today at the track," Barney explained to an enthused Raleigh.

Good natured Don was good with that and – according to Rangers legend – he handed Barney a five dollar bill. Then newly-crowned Bones smiled and added:

"Next time you're at the track, Pal, put this five-spot on the longest of the longshots!"