Edgar Laprade, the Hall of Fame Rangers center of the 1940s and ’50s who was known for his playmaking skills and his gentlemanly behavior on the ice, died on Monday at his home in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was 94.

His daughter Bonnie Morrison confirmed the death.

The Rangers won the Stanley Cup championship in 1940, but went into eclipse during World War II, then made the playoffs only twice in a six-team league during Laprade’s time with them.

But there were a couple of Rangers back then who brought hope to the old Madison Square Garden: Laprade, their small (he stood 5 feet 8 and weighed 160 pounds) but speedy center, and goalie Chuck Rayner, also a future Hall of Famer.

Playing all 10 of his N.H.L. seasons with the Rangers, Laprade was a superb puck handler and penalty killer, and he seemed to glide effortlessly along the ice.