William Nylander achieves Maple Leafs milestone not seen since Babe Pratt's 1942 feat

Billy Heyen

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William Nylander makes Maple Leafs history not done since Babe Pratt in 1942 image

TL;DR

  • William Nylander has 11 goals and 20 assists in his first 20 games this season.
  • Nylander is the second Maple Leaf ever to reach 10 goals and 20 assists in 20 games.
  • Babe Pratt achieved this feat in 1942-43, joining Nylander in rare company.

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't seen a start to a season like this since 1942.

Seriously, William Nylander is doing something almost unprecedented.

Nylander has played 20 games this season. Through those 20 games, he has 11 goals and 20 assists.

Nylander is the second player in Maple Leafs history to achieve 10 goals and 20 assists within his initial 20 games, according to According to Sportsnet.

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Babe Pratt was the first to achieve this in 1942-43. That season, Pratt recorded 10 goals and 21 assists in 20 games for Toronto.

In the 1942-43 NHL season, the Maple Leafs secured third place. Hap Day was their coach, and Syl Apps served as captain. Although the team scored the most goals in the league, they were eliminated in the semifinals by the Detroit Red Wings.

A Hall of Famer, Pratt was a defenseman who shot left-handed. His given name was Walter Basil Pratt, though he was known as Babe.

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Curiously, Pratt began the 1942-43 season with the New York Rangers. However, as soon as he joined the Maple Leafs, he performed exceptionally well.

While not identical to Nylander's start to the season, this performance remains remarkably impressive, perhaps even surpassing it.

It's uncommon company for Nylander, as he joins a Hall of Famer from over 80 years prior on a select roster.

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Staff Writer