Jim McFadden

James Alexander McFadden (April 15, 1920 – August 22, 2002) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was born in Belfast, United Kingdom and raised in Darlingford, Manitoba, in the Opawaka district. One of six players born in Ireland to play in the National Hockey League, McFadden played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks between 1947 and 1954, as well as several years in different minor leagues. He is the uncle of Bill Mikkelson, and the great-uncle of Bill's son, Brendan and daughter Meaghan.

Playing career McFadden started his career with the Portland Buckaroos of the Pacific Coast Hockey League. He spent two years with the Buckaroos before joining the Montreal Sr. Canadiens in the Quebec Senior Hockey League in 1941–42. In 1942–43, McFadden joined the Canadian Army. He was posted to Winnipeg and played hockey with the Winnipeg Army. After three years in the army, McFadden rejoined the QSHL, but this time with the Ottawa Senators. McFadden contributed a significant number of points and in 1946–47 he was traded to the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League.

After averaging over a point with the Bisons in the AHL, he was signed to the National Hockey League by the Detroit Red Wings during their playoff run in 1946–47. The Red Wings ended up being beaten by the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games, but McFadden's two points during the playoffs helped give him another chance on the roster for next season. McFadden ended up scoring 24 goals during his rookie season and this helped him win the Calder Memorial Trophy. He is the second-oldest player ever to have won the award, having done so at the age of 27. He remained in Detroit for three more seasons, where he won the Stanley Cup in 1950, and was selected for the 1950 NHL All-Star Game.

On August 20, 1951, McFadden was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks with teammates George Gee, Max McNab, Jimmy Peters, Clare Martin and Rags Raglan in exchange for $75,000 and future considerations. McFadden played in Chicago for three seasons. He played in 19 games during the 1953–54 season, before being sent down to the minors. He played another three seasons in the minors with the Calgary Stampeders before retiring.

Awards and achievements Calder Memorial Trophy winner (1948). Played in NHL All-Star Game (1950). Stanley Cup championship (1950). Inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2004. Honored Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1939–40 Carman Beavers AIHA — — — — — — — — — — 1939–40 Portland Buckaroos PCHL 6 2 1 3 6 4 3 1 4 0 1940–41 Portland Buckaroos PCHL 47 20 14 34 37 — — — — — 1941–42 Montreal Sr. Canadiens QSHL 27 8 6 14 12 5 0 1 1 4 1942–43 Winnipeg Army WNDHL 12 14 10 24 6 — — — — — 1942–43 Port Arthur Navy Al-Cup — — — — — 2 2 6 8 4 1943–44 Winnipeg Army WNDHL 8 7 2 9 2 — — — — — 1944–45 Winnipeg Army WNDHL 17 20 21 41 16 2 0 1 1 2 1944–45 Winnipeg Army Al-Cup — — — — — 7 3 3 6 6 1945–46 Ottawa Senators QSHL 30 25 32 57 57 9 1 8 9 6 1946–47 Ottawa Senators QSHL 16 17 17 34 2 — — — — — 1946–47 Buffalo Bisons AHL 31 19 15 34 37 4 2 0 2 2 1946–47 Detroit Red Wings NHL — — — — — 4 0 2 2 0 1947–48 Detroit Red Wings NHL 60 24 24 48 12 10 5 3 8 10 1948–49 Detroit Red Wings NHL 55 12 20 32 10 8 0 1 1 6 1949–50 Detroit Red Wings NHL 68 14 16 30 8 14 2 3 5 8 1950–51 Detroit Red Wings NHL 70 14 18 32 10 6 0 0 0 2 1951–52 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 70 10 24 34 14 — — — — — 1952–53 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 70 23 21 44 29 7 3 0 3 4 1953–54 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 19 3 3 6 6 — — — — — 1953–54 Calgary Stampeders WHL 37 27 28 55 16 18 10 12 22 4 1953–54 Calgary Stampeders Ed-Cup — — — — — 7 3 3 6 0 1954–55 Calgary Stampeders WHL 56 31 34 65 36 8 5 4 9 7 1955–56 Calgary Stampeders WHL 64 23 37 60 26 8 4 4 8 4 1956–57 Calgary Stampeders WHL 9 3 5 8 8 — — — — — NHL totals 412 100 126 226 89 49 10 9 19 30