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 1949–50, 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

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1939–40Carman BeaversAIHA
1939–40Portland BuckaroosPCHL6213643140
1940–41Portland BuckaroosPCHL4720143437
1941–42Montreal Sr. CanadiensQSHL2786141250114
1942–43Winnipeg ArmyWNDHL121410246
1942–43Port Arthur NavyAl-Cup22684
1943–44Winnipeg ArmyWNDHL87292
1944–45Winnipeg ArmyWNDHL172021411620112
1944–45Winnipeg ArmyAl-Cup73366
1945–46Ottawa SenatorsQSHL302532575791896
1946–47Ottawa SenatorsQSHL161717342
1946–47Buffalo BisonsAHL311915343742022
1946–47Detroit Red WingsNHL40220
1947–48Detroit Red WingsNHL60242448121053810
1948–49Detroit Red WingsNHL551220321080116
1949–50Detroit Red WingsNHL681416308142358
1950–51Detroit Red WingsNHL701418321060002
1951–52Chicago Black HawksNHL7010243414
1952–53Chicago Black HawksNHL702321442973034
1953–54Chicago Black HawksNHL193366
1953–54Calgary StampedersWHL3727285516181012224
1953–54Calgary StampedersEd-Cup73360
1954–55Calgary StampedersWHL563134653685497
1955–56Calgary StampedersWHL642337602684484
1956–57Calgary StampedersWHL93588
NHL totals41210012622689491091930

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or
Preceded byHowie MeekerWinner of the Calder Memorial Trophy 1948Succeeded byPentti Lund