Hockey’s Eddie Shore Dies at 82

Former Boston Bruin hockey great Eddie Shore died late Saturday in Mercy Hospital at the age of 82.

A member of Hockey’s Hall of Fame and a player with the Boston Bruins for 13 years, Shore had been in failing health for some time. Shore, who lived in Agawam, entered the hospital Feb. 28.

An owner and president of the American Hockey League Springfield Indians for 36 years, Shore drew respect and admiration from fans and players alike because he sank every penny he earned back into hockey.

He was remembered by Boston fans for his end-to-end rushes and devastating body checks.

Considered a great defenseman, Shore was born in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, Nov. 26, 1902, and moved up through amateur ranks to the Melville Millionaires in the season of 1923-24. From there he graduated to pro ranks with the Regina Caps of the Western Canada League, making his start as a forward.

Shore moved back to defense with Edmonton in 1926 where the Eskimos won the championship of the WHL. He broke into the NHL in 1926-27 with the Boston Bruins, where he was a drawing card wherever he went because of his free-swinging style, his brutal attacks on rival players and his brilliance on defense.

Hammy Moore, who was the Boston trainer during Shore’s heyday, once described his style of attacks: “He was the only player I ever saw who had the whole arena standing every time he rushed down ice.

“You see, when Shore carried the puck, you were always sure something would happen. He would either end up bashing somebody, get into a fight or score a goal.”

During his 13 years with the Bruins, Shore scored 108 goals and added 179 assists, and in that time was on three championship teams and two Stanley Cup winners, 1928-29 and 1938-39.

Shore was the only defenseman to win the Hart Trophy as the MVP four times--1932-33, 1934-35, 1935-36 and 1937-38.