This Week In Bruins History: Eddie Shore Ends Ace Bailey's Career

I may be a week late with this event, but it is a big moment of Bruins history that shouldn't be forgotten about. On December 12, 1933 Bruins legend Eddie Shore ended Toronto winger Ace Bailey's career with a hard hit from behind. Shore was apparently retaliating from a hit he received from Red Homer, one of Bailey's teammate. Because of the lack of head equipment back in those days, once Bailey's head hit the ice he was knocked unconscious and he went into convulsions. In retaliation to the hit on Bailey, Homer punched Shore in the face where Shore hit the ice, went unconscious and needed seven stitches in his head.

Ace Bailey was in fear of his life after the hit. He was rushed to the hospital where he had a fractured skull where the operation lasted over four hours. Bailey's career was shorted to eight years after the incident where he would never play an NHL game again. After fearing if Bailey would survive the night, he live to be 88 years old where he spent a large portion of his life being the Maple Leafs time keeper. Eddie Shore would be suspended 16 games for his hit on Bailey. Whether true or not, there is a story stating that Ace Bailey's father showed up in a Boston bar with a loaded gun looking for Shore. After the incident Eddie Shore became the first player to wear a helmet. During a charity game on November 14, 1934 at Maple Leafs Gardens to raise money for Bailey and his family, both Shore and Bailey shook hands at center ice.

Eddie Shore (via cshea71)