This week in 1973 (July 3), the Toronto Maple Leafs purchased Eddie Shack from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Shack, then 36, had been reacquired by the Leafs for his second stint with the team. Shack had first been with the Leafs after he was traded there in November 1960.

During that first stint in Toronto, one that lasted him six years. During that first stint, he scored 177 points in 419 games and helped the club win their four Stanley Cups in the ’60’s.

Shack ended up playing stints with the Boston Bruins, LA Kings, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins before his return to Toronto. In his final two seasons, Shack played in 85 games scoring nine goals and as many assists before retiring.

Sad news to end this piece with, as reports have surfaced that Shack is in palliative care due to a battle with cancer. The Sudbury-born Shack, now 83, had radiation done early this year and appeared to be doing better, his nephew Peter Woitowich told the Sudbury Star.

All the best to the Shack family.

On Twitter: @zjlaing