JD PRATT

Date of Induction: 2025-12-20

In the formative years of organized hockey in Manitoba, few individuals shaped the sport’s amateur framework as profoundly as John Downing (JD) Pratt. A dedicated administrator and visionary leader, Pratt was a central figure in transforming hockey from a loosely structured pastime into a coordinated sport. His legacy is most clearly seen in his foundational role in establishing the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) in 1914, and his crucial contributions to the creation of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) in December of that same year.

As the game’s popularity surged across Western Canada, Pratt recognized the growing need for structure, fairness, and consistency in the governance of the sport. As money began to influence the game, teams were bringing in hired players to win important games and there was little that could be done to stop the practice. The Stanley Cup had become a highly-desired professional prize and Pratt was determined that the newly-minted Allan Cup would not suffer the same fate.

Pratt led the way in organizing the MAHA in June, 1914 and helped Manitoba became a model for organized amateur sport. His work laid the groundwork for standardized interprovincial rules, fair competition, and the safeguarding of amateur status at a time when professionalism threatened to fracture the game.

Pratt then put forth the concept of forming the CAHA. He worked diligently in convincing the other provinces that it would bridge regional divides and solidify a national framework to guide Canadian hockey. The Allan Cup would become an East-West competition.

J. D. Pratt's influence behind the scenes was both influential and enduring. He championed the values of sportsmanship and fair play, ensuring hockey’s growth across Canada.