Legend Eddie Shore plays his final game with the Boston Bruins
Eddie Shore was the first of a long line of legends that played on the blue line for the Boston Bruins.
However, 83 years ago today, Shore played his last games as a member of the Bruins following an odd situation. After just four games with Boston during the 1939-40 NHL season, the defenseman was traded to the New York Americans for Eddie Wiseman and $5000. Marking December 5th, 1939, as his last day with the franchise.
It all started after Shore initially retired from the NHL after the Bruins won the 1939 Stanley Cup over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He moved on when he bought the Springfield Indians of the AHL, where he was a player/owner.
Soon after, Bruins reached out to Shore after several injuries to their current defense, and he agreed that he would play in home games for $200 per match. The defenseman only played four games and was reported as being ''unenthusiastic about the arrangement''.
Back to the trade to New York:
Shore stayed with the Americans through the 1940 playoffs and was playing with the Indians at the same time. His final NHL game was officially on March 24th against the Detroit Red Wings.
Known more for iconic toughness and defensive play, Shore amassed 1,090 penalty minutes in 541 games over 14 years with the Bruins. He also collected 103 goals, 176 assists, the Hart Trophy four times and two Stanley Cup championships.
Shore entered to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947, and the Bruins retired his #2. The Eddie Shore Award is also given annually to the AHL's best defenceman.
Sadly, the native of Saskatchewan, Canada, passed away on March 16th, 1985, at the age of 82. After coughing up and vomiting blood while visiting his son, Shore was later rushed to the hospital, and the cause of death was later determined as liver cancer.
