While the player who became known as “the Entertainer” became a star with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1960 and 1967, Eddie Shack was also one of only nine players ever to post a 20-goal season with five different teams, and among them was the Los Angeles Kings.
Though his time in LA was short — one season in 1969-70, and then just 11 games the following year before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres — his impact on the sport and the world can’t be denied.
Shack’s personality is what made his a fan favorite everywhere he went. He sported a very full mustache and paired it with cowboy hat often. His playing style was energetic and scrappy. He was larger than life, a show to see all of his own. Shack even inspired a song, performed by Douglas Rankine with The Secrets. Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack charted on the Canadian pop charts for months in 1966.
In retirement, Shack advocated for literacy programs, revealing he had been illiterate for most of his life. He dropped out of school at an early age and supported himself working odd jobs while playing juniors hockey.
He won four Stanley Cup rings, all with the Maple Leafs, retiring with them in 1975.
Shack had been battling throat cancer at a hospital in Toronto when he passed. He was 83 years old.
Both the LA Kings Twitter account and the LA Kings’ Public Relations account sent out condolences on Sunday.
The LA Kings are saddened to learn of the passing of Eddie “The Entertainer” Shack, a 4-time Stanley Cup winner and larger-than-life personality.
We fondly remember his tenure with the LA Kings starting in 1969, and send our condolences to his family, friends & teammates. pic.twitter.com/oEQk1Qx0Ud
— LA Kings (@LAKings) July 26, 2020
R.I.P. Mr. Shack. https://t.co/d0f4Xq9IU4 pic.twitter.com/irvK47kPVo
— LAKingsPR (@LAKingsPR) July 26, 2020
News & Notes
- Former Maple Leafs star and Kings player Eddie Shack dies at 83 [The Associated Press]
- Former Sabres showman Eddie Shack loved Buffalo, and Buffalo loved him back [The Buffalo News]
- Shack, four-time Stanley Cup winner, dies at 83 [NHL.com]
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