Jean Paul Lamirande

"Promising 23-year-old French Canadian Jean Paul Lamirande, who hails from Isle Maligne, Lake St. John, Quebec, has been added to the New York Rangers' line-up," exclaimed the New York Times on October 10th, 1946.

The Montreal Gazette lamented the loss of "Montreal's great amateur star" to the American city. The paper championed Lamirande's blocking and rushing ability.

Unfortunately "JP" never fulfilled his promise. He would go on to play high level professional and senior hockey until 1961, but only get into 49 NHL contests. In that time he scored 5 goals and 10 points.

While he started with the Rangers in 1946, an injury sidelined him and upon his recovery he was demoted to the minor leagues. He rarely returned.

His finest moment came on November 30, 1949 when Jean Lamirande, just called up, scored two goals as the Rangers beat Montreal, 5-2.

Late in his career he returned to amateur status and played with several senior teams in Quebec and Ontario. In 1958 he was a star defenseman with the Quebec Aces, but was a last minute addition that season to Whitby Dunlops. The Dunnies won the Allan Cup as Canada's amateur champions and were about to head overseas to participate in the World Hockey Championships, but not before adding the talented Lamirande. Lamirande starred in Oslo that spring, picking up six assists including setting up Bob Attersley's gold medal winning goal!

Lamirande so enjoyed his European vacation that he did it again the following year. Now a member of the Belleville McFarlands, this time he, too, tasted Allan Cup champagne before heading to Prague. Lamirande was named as the tournament's top defenseman while leading the Canadians to another world title.