Jimmy McFadden

The first - and likely the only - Belfast, Northern Ireland born hockey player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy (1948) as the NHL rookie of the year, Jimmy McFadden enjoyed a solid six-plus seasons in the National Hockey League.

McFadden likely could have had a longer career had he got a chance to play earlier. He was 27 when he was a rookie with Detroit. He had spent much of his earlier days serving with the Canadian Army at training bases near Winnipeg. He continued to play hockey while doing so, as his Winnipeg Army team twice challenged for the Allan Cup. Then he was off to Ottawa where he starred with the Senators of the Quebec Senior Hockey League.

McFadden's promising rookie campaign (24 goals, 48 points in 60 games) was never fully duplicated, but he did prove to be a capable player through the rest his NHL days. He helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1950.

He was traded to Chicago in 1951, and helped the Blackhawks emerge as the surprise playoff team of 1953, almost upsetting the Montreal Canadiens. 

McFadden's last NHL season proved to be 1953-54. He headed west to Calgary where he continued playing pro until 1957. He later moved back to Manitoba (Carman), where he coached senior hockey and drove a school bus for many years.

Jimmy McFadden played 412 NHL games with 100 goals, 126 assists and 226 points.