Ace Bailey: Hockey’s Gentle Giant and the Origin of the NHL All-Star Game
Who Was Ace Bailey?
Irvine Wallace Ace Bailey (July 3, 1903 – April 7, 1992) was a Canadian right winger who played eight seasons (1926–1933) for the Toronto Maple Leafs en.wikipedia.org. Known for his speed, stick‑handling, and scoring ability, he topped the NHL scoring chart in 1929 (22 goals, 10 assists in 44 games) retroseasons.com.
His career ended tragically after a brutal hit by Eddie Shore in December 1933, which fractured his skull and left him in a coma—though miraculously, he survived en.wikipedia.org.
The Hit That Stunned the Hockey World
On December 12, 1933, in Boston Garden, Bailey was inadvertently tripped by a dazed Eddie Shore. He fell backwards, hitting his head on the ice and entering convulsions blackngoldhockey.com. The hit was so severe the morning papers printed his obituary. Bailey spent ten days in a coma, undergoing emergency brain surgery before luck and medicine intervened .
Shore was suspended 16 games and, had Bailey died, might have faced manslaughter charges blackngoldhockey.com.
The Trailblazing Ace Bailey Benefit Game
In a powerful moment of compassion, the NHL organized the first-ever All-Star Game on February 14, 1934—at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. With Maple Leafs vs. the league’s top stars, the game raised over $20,000 for Bailey and his family southmuskokaminorhockey.com.
Before the game, Bailey shook hands with each All-Star, including Shore. When the two men met, the crowd held their breath—and then erupted in applause as Shore approached and Bailey forgave him puckstruck.com.
Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe also retired Bailey’s #6 jersey, marking the first-ever number retirement in NHL history notinhalloffame.com.
Bailey’s Storied Career
- Joined NHL as a free agent with Toronto St. Pats in 1926 retroseasons.com
- NHL scoring leader (1928–29) with 22 goals, 10 assists notinhalloffame.com
- Stanley Cup winner in 1932, famously scoring the decisive goal in Game 3
- Forced into retirement following his December 1933 brain injury
- Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, 1975 puckstruck.com
Life After the Ice
Though his playing days ended, Bailey remained deeply involved in hockey:
- After recovery, he sought to become an NHL linesman—ultimately transitioning into coaching and officiating roles puckstruck.com
- Coached the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and won three university titles between 1935 and 1949 en.wikipedia.org
- Served as timekeeper at Maple Leaf Gardens from 1938 until retirement in 1984 retroseasons.com
- Passed away in 1992 at age 88 after a stroke outlived.org
Legacy That Resonates Today
1. Safety and Sportsmanship
Bailey’s incident helped spur NHL rule changes to protect player safety, and highlighted the power of forgiveness and respect in sport southmuskokaminorhockey.com.
2. The All-Star Game Tradition
His Benefit Game evolved into the NHL’s annual All-Star tradition, celebrating hockey talent and unity en.wikipedia.org.
3. Bold Honors in Hockey History
Retiring #6 set a precedent for honouring players, and Bailey became an early role model—his name still reminds us that legacy matters in the NHL en.wikibooks.org.
4. Hall of Fame & Ongoing Respect
His 1975 induction immortalized his place in hockey—reminding fans that greatness goes beyond goal totals . Today, the Ace Bailey Fund continues to support retired players and their families puckstruck.com.
Quick Stats Snapshot
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (1926–33) | 316 | 111 | 81 | 192 |
- Led NHL scoring in 1929 (22g, 10a)
- Scored 1932 Cup-winning goal en.wikipedia.orgbarstoolsports.com
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External Links for Further Reading
- Ace Bailey, first NHL All-Star game – NHL.com statspros.com
- Ace Bailey Wikipedia puckstruck.com
- Ace Bailey Benefit Game details – Wikipedia joanne16.com
Final Thoughts
Ace Bailey remains a towering figure in hockey history—not just for his scoring, but for how he handled tragedy. His grace after the hit, his pioneering Benefit Game, and his decades of service off-ice remind us why sports are about more than wins and losses: they’re about humanity, resilience, and community.
Next time you watch an NHL All-Star Game or see a jersey retirement, remember Ace Bailey—the gentle giant whose legacy built those traditions.