Maple Leafs legend Eddie Shack dies at 83
The hockey world has lost one of its most colorful figures.
Eddie Shack has died at the age of 83, the Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed Sunday.
The Maple Leafs are deeply saddened by the passing of Eddie Shack.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 26, 2020
A three-time all star and four-time Stanley Cup champion, Eddie entertained Leafs fans on the ice for nine seasons and for decades off of it. He will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/vMz0pznuNv
The longtime fan favorite had been hospitalized and placed in palliative care in Toronto due to cancer, according to Jim Moodie of the Sudbury Star.
He scored the Cup-winning goal for the Maple Leafs in 1963 and spent parts of nine of his 17 NHL seasons with Toronto.
Shack was named an All-Star three times from 1962-64 and won the Cup with the Leafs in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967.
Shack earned the nickname "The Entertainer" for his play as well as his off-ice antics.
In 1966, broadcaster Brian McFarlane penned a song about him called "Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack," that became a local radio hit after a group called Douglas Rankine with The Secrets recorded it.
Shack also played for the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Following his playing career, he became a well-known TV pitchman for several companies, including his chain of donut shops.