Ace Bailey

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Lore & Background

Bailey's career came to an abrupt end on December 12, 1933, when he was hit from behind by Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins, and hit his head on the ice, fracturing his skull; he convulsed on the ice of the Boston Garden. This occurred after Maple Leafs teammate King Clancy upended Shore with a hard check as the latter player rushed up the ice. Angry, dazed, and thinking he was going after Clancy, Shore rushed at Bailey intent on revenge. Another teammate, Red Horner knocked Shore out cold with one punch after the incident. It was feared that Bailey would not survive after severely injuring his head. He came out of a coma for the second time 10 days later, making a full recovery, but did not play professionally again. When he was assured that Bailey would survive, league president Frank Calder suspended Shore for 16 games. An all-star benefit game was held at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 14, 1934, which raised $20,909 for Bailey and his family. Bailey and Shore shook hands and embraced at centre ice before the game began. Thirteen years later, the NHL introduced an annual all-star game.

In Their Own Story

The aftermath of the December 12, 1933, collision defined Bailey's legacy as much as his scoring titles did. Fearing he would not survive the skull fracture, the hockey world rallied around him. When Bailey emerged from a coma ten days later, the relief was palpable. The league organized an all-star benefit game at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 14, 1934. It was here that the emotional weight of the event became clear; Bailey and Eddie Shore met at center ice to shake hands and embrace before the puck dropped, uniting a fractured sport in a moment of reconciliation. Thirteen years later, this single benefit game inspired the NHL to introduce its annual all-star game tradition. Following his recovery, Bailey never played professionally again, yet he remained deeply tied to the game. He coached the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team from 1935 to 1940 and again from 1945 to 1949, winning three Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union championships. From 1938 until his retirement in 1984, he worked as a timekeeper at Maple Leaf Gardens, witnessing the arena's history unfold from the boards.

Reader's Guide

Bailey's #6 sweater was the first ever to be retired by an NHL team, and is one of the 13 numbers (19 players) to have been permanently retired by the Maple Leafs. In 1968, Bailey asked it be unretired so Ron Ellis could wear it. Over his career, Bailey totaled 111 goals and 82 assists in 313 games. Following his career-ending injury, Bailey asked the NHL if he could work as a linesman, but he was turned down. He coached the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team from 1935 to 1940 and again after World War II from 1945 to 1949, winning three Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union championships. He also worked as a timekeeper at Maple Leaf Gardens from 1938 until his retirement in 1984. On April 1, 1992, Bailey's number was again retired by the Maple Leafs; that same day Bailey had a stroke, and he died on April 7, 1992, of lung failure at the age of 88.

Did You Know?

• Bailey was the leading scorer and goal scorer in the NHL in the 1928–29 season, with 22 goals and 32 points in 44 games.
• The benefit game raised $20,909 for Bailey and his family.
• Bailey's #6 jersey was retired on February 14, 1934, making it the first number retirement in professional sports.