For Eddie to have the life he had despite his early struggles in being illiterate, to make it to pro hockey, play over a 1,000 games, score nearly 240 goals, and rack up over 1400 penalty minutes, that’s impressive, not to mention the career he had after hockey, my hats off to him, may he RIP. This was a great video PHA.
He used to sell Christmas trees in the Loblaws parking lot behind St. Mike’s in the early 90’s, and he was always happy to talk hockey or anything else with the boys. He really had a massive personality, and you could feel the energy coming off him. I was late for home room one time, and when asked why, I replied I was talking to Mr. Shack in the parking lot, and my teacher was like “say no more”. Still got detention in the garden though.
I recall a game back in the 70s when Shack was named one of the three stars of the game and skated out and did a figure skating leap and landed perfectly. A real original and a better player than most people realize.
Eddie was on the “Spittin Chiclets” podcast and was absolutely hilarious and had stories for days. I couldn’t recommend it enough, it’s episode 220 and his interview starts at 1.45.50 he talks about the Zeidel incident, fighting The Pocket Rocket, growing up, owning a golf course, his commercials and his book. It aired late 2019 so it’s one of the last interviews before his death. The man was an entertainer right up to the end
I remember Eddie Shack during his last go around with the Maple Leafs; long hair and distinctive walrus mustache, barreling around the ice with comical abandon. I think he had left the more violent side of his game behind by then and what remained was Eddie the Entertainer. He was a truly unique character and the home fans clearly loved him. But I never knew the story behind the player. Thanks Pro Hockey Alumni for bringing us these amazing stories.
l remember watching Eddie Shack playing at the gardens all those years ago. Whenever he got on the ice you where wondering what he was going to do. And how could l have forgotten his commercials? Don't see people like him these days unfortunately, what a shame.
I met Eddie on my 19th birthday and shook his hand. Very nice and funny man. My dad knew him from a promotion Eddie was doing at his work. He came over and wished me well and, not so quietly, whispered some advise to my then girlfriend which is unrepeatable. LOL. We were about the same height and I have big hands and what I remember most about shaking Eddie's hand was that it was the first time it felt like my hand just disappeared. Eddie had big mitts. I was sad to hear of his passing. He was a special person and a great ambassador for the sport.
Some of those players back then yes such huge mitts. I remember seeing Don Maloney at a rink once. I didn't shake his hand but only saw him from about 15 feet away. I just remember seeing his hands and being taken aback by their size. They seemed to be unhuman like, if that's a word.
I remember watching the leaf games with my dad in the 70's. I still can see my dad slapping the arm of his wheel chair in excitement when Shack would do a "coast to coaster". Some hockey players there can be only one of, like Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe and Eddie Shack. Rest in peace Eddie.
I suspect you provided your beloved father with paramount bliss, pride, joy and love. I ascertain you were a son he treasured and thanked the Lord for.
Eddie scored a playoff goal in the early 60s when my Dad jumped up and scorched the ceiling with his cigar. He would not allow that mark to be removed . It was still there 10 yrs. later
I met Eddie at an IGA just outside of Fort Erie, he was with Gil Perreault and another fellow Sabre. They were ahead of us at the checkout, we were in awe. Star struck as our beloved Buffalo Sabre's players were our hero's. Sensing the difficulty Eddie just smiled, reached out and shook our hands. They bought us candy and sodas, he just made us feel so special. My father's reaction was, who were they? My brothers and I knew, I never forgot the kindness. RIP Eddie, you could fly on the ice. God 50 years have gone bye. Class act.
That's an awesome encounter and hints a bit at the changes in attitudes of players, from today Vs. yesteryear. I know there is good and bad from both categories but most of us would probably agree that the old timers, like Eddie played for the love of the game! I'm fairly certain, the same can't be said ahout many of today's stars. Anyhow, before I rant for too long, I just wanted to say, Hockey is the greatest game on earth and Bret's skate was definately in the crease! Cheers from Montreal
Dick Duff said Eddie was the first player he knew that brought an exercise equipment in his suitcase and would work out in the hotel room while on the road. A story from Imlach about Shack's illiteracy. The Red Wings bench were heckling Shack about him being stupid and not being able to read or write. Shack scored a goal, raced over to the Wings bench, showering players with ice as he stopped and said "Goal" and then spelled it " G O A L."
These videos are nothing short of incredible. The time and careful research that goes into them is unmatched and I am so appreciative that there are people out there keeping this hockey history alive for future generations.
Didn't know he passed. Leafs and Buffalo days is what I remember him from. 17 seasons is a great accomplishment for ANY player. And of course the POP Shoppe for some Canadian content.
A great guy...my first job as a kid was at his Vaughan Valley golf course picking up balls off the driving range. He had a dune buggy that he would drive around the course and take us kids for a ride in. Always smiling or laughing!
Unfortunately in today’s NHL these crazy and colourful characters aren’t a thing anymore. Players appear so “wooden” and bland now. Literally almost every interview is of a player with little emotion showing, repeating the same “we need to play a solid 60 seconds” or “we need to play better on our own end” with the word “obviously” being used in every sentence.
I was a stick boy/ taper/gopher for a charity game the year after Eddie retired. Got to meet Eddie when he came up to me with a loud, "how ya' doing kid?" and a ten dollar tip. He was still a big kid then and the stories he told had everybody in fits of laughter.
There was no one like him before or since. The sheer joy he expressed as he flew down the ice at top speed always brought a big smile to my young face.
One of my favourite players growing up. My dad took me to see him play at MLG in '73 season. I was soooo excited to see him play. Throughout the entire game coach wouldn't play him, i was really disappointed. Finally in the last 2 mins of the game, Shack steps over the boards and on his first shift drew a penalty, hahah...finished the game with him in the box. Ahh, yes, good ole Eddie Shack! Thks for the great video!
Stick swinging sword fights, knocking out Howe at centre ice and putting him in the hospital for a week. Countless brawls, mass amounts of stiches stiched, 1000 + games, 4 cups. 58 yrs of marriage! Lol. It almost seems like it was anouther world. All of it mostly unheard of happening or possible in todays times. Eddie might be 1 in a million, but I still sadly wonder where all these types of players went.. Great video, again, a real beauty. Excellent start to '23! Cheers to all your work and time thats been put in to pass these legends legacies on, and create these masterpieces. Please, don't stop! 👍
Always fun to watch. One time Eddie was playing and a player from an opposing team yelled, "Shack you can't even spell goal!" Eddie promptly scored a goal then skated in front of the opposing bench, stopping and saying, "Goal. G-O-A-L, goal." He was a one of a kind! RIP Eddie.
I worked for him in his Pop Shoppe School as an instructor he was a fun guy to work for and was amazing on his skates his balance was unbelievable good times that was
Loved him as a Bruin….he had an unfortunate hitch in his stride before ha made a hit so he was called for charging a lot.. Went to Toronto for our honeymoon in 1974 and scored tickets in the grays for a playoff game with the Bruins….Orr scored….Shack scored and the Bruins won…a perfect game
The NHL old timers came to my hometown around 1989. There were quite a few stars on that team which was a big deal in northern BC. A few signed a couple of autographs but kept their distance from the locals. But not Eddie…surrounded by a group of 10 kids, he passed around his Cup rings so everyone could try it on and look at it. We were blown away! He was joking with our parents and was larger than life. Then he went upstairs to the beer garden and hung out there for a few hours. He treated people like he’d known them their whole lives. It was so impressive and those memories are still vivid today. This is a great channel. Thank you for keeping the memories alive!!
I remember him first when he went back to TO in 1973-74, I'd be 10. He was not scrapping any more by then, but still was entertaining. I never knew his full back story, very interesting, love the vintage hockey stories!
RIP Eddie. I used to cut his grass in Toronto. Nice family and what a storyteller. Edit: BTW i had no idea he couldn't read. I gave him a few golf balls with my company logo on the ball and he did give it a weird look. And looked up at my pickup truck with the lettering on it. And looked back down at my golf balls. I didn't know he couldn't read until later. Now I know why the strange look. He was a fun guy and always paid his bills. Also offered wine or a cold beer. I also didn't know he was Ukrainian-Canadian until he told me.
Very informative. I didn't know he instigated the famous Howe leapin Louie fight. When Shack was traded to the Kings he made a grand entrance via Helicopter. He had a nice season for the Penguins in 72-73 scoring over 20 goals then they turn around and send him to Toronto for cash. I never understood that transaction. He seemed to wear out his welcome at every stop.
Thoroughly enjoyed learning more NHL history thanks to PHA. I had no idea about Shack's illiteracy, but it didn't stop him from having a great NHL career. I did know about the Larry Zeidel incidents though. Shack was tough with a bit of that slightly mad uncle that every family has. A real character. RIP Eddie.
A close friend of mine attended the Philadelphia Boston game in Maple Leaf Gardens. It was an afternoon game and tickets were widely obtainable because the Leafs weren't playing. I spoke to him an hour after he returned home, before the news of the brawl reached the public. He described it in great detail and said "It was the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life."
Great vid. We fans didn't know at the time Shack was illiterate. Despite that, it's astounding how even more successful he became after the NHL. Consider how many undiagnosed concussions he must have suffered, and then wonder how Shack prospered in spite of everything he endured. In his later years, Shack resembled pro grappler Stan Hansen, another beefy tough guy with a heart of gold.
We would watch Eddie when he was at Toronto. We had those rabbit ears antenna and were watching Hockey night in Canada while in Buffalo. I was a kid and was happy to see him come to the Sabres with Punch Imlack.
My memories of Eddie Shack are from the 70's, when I was a kid. He would stand up on the Leafs bench and conduct the crowd in the 'WE WANT SHACK" chant. I remember him being selected a star of the game, and he skated out full blast, did a pirouette and threw snow with a big stop at center ice. And I remember him getting out of the penalty box, joining the attack, skating full speed at the opposing goaltender and doing the big stop right in front of him, throwing snow in his face.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I grew up with these successful leafs in the 1960's and was a great fan of Eddie. Especially when he would be chosen a star of the game. Fun to watch.
Nice job with this. In an era of a lot of clean cut HR Haldeman haircut milquetoast hockey players someone like Shack was a breath of fresh air. Fun player and tons of personality
I met him and Maurice Richard when I was in high school. Got both of their autographs, along with three other players playing in a charity old timers game in Calgary.
It could be hard and sometimes futile work trying to keep up with or truly get to know about celebrities of any kind before the internet. If we wished for a time machine back in the day, it was usually just to relive or redo known moments from the past or our personal lives. However, your videos are time machines that take us back to places we thought we knew and teach us about so many things that we couldn't be aware of at the time. How amazing it is to go back to our past only to be introduced to new and fascinating aspects of it. Cheers to another masterpiece.
I heard that he drove his two sons nuts by having them wash multitudes of vehicles at his used car dealerships. We need more characters like Eddie now more than ever. May he RIP
The second last game ever at Maple leaf Garden's I had seats right behind the goalie. I hear a noise behind me and lo and behold there's Eddie in one of the bunkers having a beer. I went over and said hello, shook his hand. His handgrip just about broke my fingers. What a memory
I met Eddie Shack at the ACC when it was still called that in like 2016-17 for a fan greet, I had long hair and he told me if I was in the locker room back in the day everyone on the team would hold me down and cut it off lol
Another excellent video. Still remember the way Shack came out if one of the 3 stars of the game. Skate full speed to centre, and put on the brakes with a flurry of snow chips. Crowd always loved it. Glad you showed his stats. Always thought his point production was overlooked. Pretty good, when it's considered he was on the 3rd line a lot of the time. One of the most unique and entertaining players ever to don an NHL uniform.
Well I really enjoyed that video, I learned a lot about Eddie Shack. I remember him back when he was with the leafs back in1973. My late grandfather had pictures of Eddie Shack magazine articles and stuff ,so some of the pictures I recognized.
Wow, what a fantastic video. Informative, precise, very well researched. Eddies family should be pleased. Thanks for not glossing over the general brutality of the 6 team era. Times may have changed, but history is dish to savour.
A most unique and interesting individual. We hired Eddie back in the late 80's to work at a trade show signing pucks with our logo on them. This was when I learned about his experiences growing up and some of his early hockey experience. If I recall correctly, he played for one of the Junior teams in Guelph and used to show up for practice straight from the coal yard, black and sweaty. I remember when they opened the Pop Shoppe in Hamilton at an old factory on John St. North when he managed to strike a deal with our church to supply pop for the dinners etc. A great couple of days getting to know one of the Leafs that I cheered for as a kid. "Clear the track Eddie"
I 'dated' Eddie's niece in the 70's - her name was Sandy. I was a little dork in grade 7. I asked her so many times to introduce me to her uncle she dropped me lol. I never did meet him, but loved watching his antics while playing for the Leafs. Great video here, thank you.
In around 1965, when I was 9, Shack was at a local Calgary car dealership, meeting fans and handing out hockey sticks. I got there too late, all the sticks were gone, but this young habs fan had met his first NHL player. Yes, habs fan but I didn't tell Shack that.
I met Eddie Shack while he was driving a dune buggy, putting along with the York Festival parade on Eginton and Keele around 1974. I was about 10 and ran out onto the parade and shook hands with him quickly. His hands were like baseball mitts - that was embarrasing. Anyway he was simply nice, very cool. Had time for a young kid while operating a vehicle. Anyway that's my Eddie Shack story. Thanks for video.
Great guy too..i met him a few times before he passed away..my buddy did a "shave Shack with Schick" event with him and was surprised when Eddie asked him if he could read the menu for him
I sent away my golden syrup rings and got an autographed picture from Mr. Shack, in what? - 1965? Cut to 1986 - and I have Eddie on the 'air' - live with me, on CJCH, Halifax. Lovely guy and was much loved. Thanks for posting this clip.
I met Eddy a number of times at his golf course in Woodbridge Ontario other than the need of being part mountain goat to play the course his club house was a trailer and offered 3 hot dogs 🌭 and a pop shop pop special ….built like a brick 🧱 outhouse he was hilarious 😆 with his off the top one liners I’ll never forget those days with my dad and workmate we played there regularly
"I might not be able to read, but I know how to count!" Lmao, Nailed it!!! He was a guy you hated on the other team the most, but loved him on your team even more.. RIP, cool video.
I came of age in the mid 1970s in Shacks twilight years so this video was quite eye opening about Shack's numerous 20 goal seasons before that time. Surprised Shack didnt squeeze out a few last seasons in the WHA....
Great video once again my friend 👍 I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr.Shack twice here in Peterborough at the old timer NHL alumni games they use to have here where he refereed in his unique black cowboy hat and handlebar mustache! Lol a funny man he was
@@ProHockeyAlumni hey man I was just thinking about an idea for a video? I haven’t seen much about this player, and his nhl career was short lol to say the least but he was a true force and did some crazy shit lol his name is Link Gaetz..I’m sure u know who that is obvy but I thought it might make an interesting video. Just a thought brother, I love everything u do! So whatever’s next I’m looking forward to it!👍
I never cared outside of Montreal Canadian talk in my youth but this man's name came up often, in a good, tough funny way. I saw TV commercials with him and liked him right away. Indeed a very cool and influential asset of the hockey world. Very good vid!
Salut, comment ca va? I totally can relate to your sentiment. I was born in 76 so I never got the chance to see all of these amazing antics! It's true though, that in Montreal, some of the fans tend to look inward, when it comes to hockey history. There are so many great tales from Montreal, that I sometimes neglect the books and films, regarding other great city's, players and stories! I've read dozens of books about hockey history but 70% involve Montreal. My New Year's resolution is to read more about other teams and players :) That's why I love these videos so much. They help to paint a better picture and can send us down so many rabbit holes! and although I know the basics about most of these incidents aand have most of the hockey cards, seen in these vids, the cards don't speak, but these awesome videos do! Salut, mes amis :)
I met Eddie at Andy Bathgate driving range a few years before he died got to shake hands with him people say I have small hands even though I wear a large golf glove after shaking hands with Eddie I do have small hands :) Seemed like a great guy friendly as could be
I remember in the late 1970s when Shack played with Toronto and played against Boston, he would usually be the guy who scored the winning goal several times.
My best friend in public school was John Litzenberger. His Dad Ed was on the Toronto Maple Leaf Dream Team with Eddie Shack that won 4 Stanley Cups in the '60's. One summer Saturday afternoon in 1977 when John and I were hanging out at his house, Eddie Shack roared up the driveway in a jeep with no doors or roof, music blaring, drunk as hell. He jumped out in cut-off shorts, no shirt, a big goofy straw hat and said, "Hey boys, is Steady Eddie home?" He was the hockey version of Keith Moon.
You mentioned the Blackhawks' Reggie Fleming as being one of Eddie's enforcer opponents and it's been years since I've heard his name mentioned. I lived in Chicago and I still remember that, when a penalty was called on Reggie, he'd put his stick between his legs, look at the ref, and stroke the stickhandle as if he was..., well, you can imagine. What I remember about Eddie Shack is that his nose looked like it had been rearranged several times; I never knew he was such an entertaining player. Good times, good memories.
He was the most loved leaf I've ever seen still remember the we want shack chants at the gardens and how the crowd would explode when he hit the ice he was never the best but always played hard and hit everything in site
I remember going to a Bruins game when Eddie played for the B's. I think they were playing the Rangers. There was a small cluster of Ranger fans sitting near us mocking Eddie for being illiterate. He scored a rather spectacular goal and as he skated by us ( and the Ranger fans) he shouted out Score.....S..C..O..R..E. with a big grin.
Eddie was my favourite player during his second stint with the Leafs. I don't recall this video mentioning that he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1963. During a visit to Edmonton circa 1983, he was interviewed on the CFRN-TV panel show "Face the Newsmen," and came across as quite sensible. Unfortunately, that program likely no longer exists. One correction: "Here Comes Shack" was not a #1 hit in Canada. As you can see in the video, it reached #1 on CHUM, a radio station in Toronto. It spent two weeks on the national RPM singles chart, peaking at #56 on April 4, 1966. Torontonians can't seem to understand this, but Toronto and Canada are not one and the same.
He was one of the goods guys in sports. Yea, he was a wild man on the ice but off he represented himself and his city well and always treated us kids very well. And damn he had huge hands. Catcher’s mitts with fingers.
Anyone who has that class picture would be nice to have a copy. My mother, brothers and sisters went to school with Shack. I was never told he was product of Ukrainian immigrant s , as were my moms family. My mother often talked about Eddie and Tim , dont know if they were in same grade. One funny story is when the neighborhood kids stole the Shacks outhouse on Devils night. They were the last family on the block to have indoor plumbing and when they did they didn’t dispose of the outhouse so one Halloween mom and friends did it for them . My oldest brother did meet Eddie when Toronto used to play pre-season exhibition games in London Ontario
