Tracy Pratt

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Tracy Pratt, born March 8, 1943, in New York City, is a former professional ice hockey defenseman. He stands 6 feet tall, weighed 185 pounds during his career, and shot left. Pratt played in the NHL for several teams, including the Oakland Seals, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Rockies, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was undrafted and his career spanned from 1967 to 1977. He is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Babe Pratt.

Early years and junior hockey
- Pratt began his junior career in 1960 with the Flin Flon Bombers and moved to the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1962, where he led the team’s defense and helped win the league championship.

Turning pro
- He signed with the New York Rangers and turned pro in 1963 with the St. Paul Rangers of the Central Professional Hockey League, playing four seasons in the minors.

NHL debut and Seals era
- In the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, Pratt was selected by the California Seals (14th round, 83rd overall). He made his NHL debut with the Oakland Seals and also played for their Vancouver Canucks farm team. He was involved in the hit that led to Bill Masterton’s death that season.

Move to Vancouver and Pittsburgh
- Pratt started 1969 with Vancouver, then was traded mid-season to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Buffalo Sabres
- In the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft, Pratt was chosen 7th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, where he played four seasons. He was known as a fighter and had a notable bout with future Hall of Famer Billy Smith in his first season with Buffalo.

Canucks, Rockies, and Maple Leafs
- In December 1973, Pratt and John Gould were traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Jerry Korab. He spent about two and a half seasons with the Canucks before signing as a free agent with the Colorado Rockies in 1976. A late-season trade sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he finished his playing career.

Best year and all-star
- Pratt’s best season came in 1975, when he had 22 points and a plus-7 rating. He was named to the NHL All-Star Game alongside goaltender Gary Smith.

Coaching after retirement
- After retiring, Pratt coached the Abbotsford Flyers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League for one season in 1980, but the team missed the playoffs and he was not retained.