The Most Colorful Toronto Maple Leafs of All-Time
Eddie “the Entertainer” Shack
As one of the most unique and animated Toronto Maple Leafs players ever, Eddie Shack is a must inclusion on this list.
The Sudbury, Ontario, native began his career in the late 1950s with the New York Rangers before moving on to the Maple Leafs in the early 60s.
Shack’s arrival in Toronto coincided with the buds’ Stanley Cup winning streak in 1962, 1963, and 1964. Shack was an disturber who was known for his frantic rushes up the ice, scoring ability, and willingness to mix it up.
Shark moved around a lot and played for a number of NHL teams during his lengthy 20 year pro career. He had two stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs-from 1960 to 1967, and later, from 1973 to 1975.
In addition to the Maple Leafs, Shack suited up for the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers.
Shack was the type of player that you loved if he was on your side, but hated if he was on the opposition.
Shack was willing to drop the gloves and battle with many of foes, although he was not an enforcer in the traditional sense. He was an agitator who got under the skin of the opposition and often drew penalties more frequently than he took them.
One of the most memorable moments in Shack’s career happened during a game at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1974 against the St. Louis Blues during Shacks second stint as a bud.
As no other player could possibly do, Shack got under the skin of a trio of St. Louis Blues goons- brothers Bill and Barclay Plager, and Bob “Battleship” Kelly. The trio of St. Louis heavies all took runs at Shack, but Eddie, in his wisdom, swiftly skated to open ice and taunted the evil trio while leaving the job of corralling them up to the linesmen and his teammates. This incident is among a handful of truly humorous moments in Maple Leafs history.
Shack’s ebullient personality made him the perfect athlete to moonlight as a product pitchman, and Shack signed an apparently lucrative deal to became the nation symbol of the Canadian soft drink chain, The Pop Shop.
Shack made dozens of TV commercials showing him storming into various Pop Shop locations and demanding his soda. The commercials always ended with Shack uttering the famous line, “I’ve got a nose for value!” while tapping his large proboscis with a bottle of Pop Shop pop.