Eric Prentice

Eric Dayton "Doc" Prentice (August 22, 1926 in Schumacher, Ontario – December 8, 2002 in Coleman, Alberta) was a professional left winger who played a total of 5 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Prentice played with the Buffalo-Ankerite Bisons in the 1942-43 Northern Ontario Senior Playoffs. He then spent the 1943-44 season playing with Providence-Hershey (AHL) and made his only appearance in the NHL when he played five games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. During those five games, he failed to record a point and spent 4 minutes in the penalty box. In 1944-45, he played with the Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL).

He then split the 1945-46 season between the Omaha Knights (USHL) and the Hollywood Wolves (PCHL), he would then continue with the Wolves for the next season. He then played for the Fresno Falcons (PCHL) in 1947-48. He then spent 1948-49 with the Philadelphia Rockets (AHL) before ending his professional career in 1949-50 in Oakland-LA-Fresno (PCHL).

Prentice still holds the record for the youngest player ever signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs - he was 17.

Prentice died on December 8, 2002 in Coleman, Alberta following a valiant struggle with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

Prentice was the father Conservative Party federal cabinet minister Jim Prentice and the brother of Dean Prentice,