Bailey, "Ace" Irvine W.
Hockey
b. July 3, 1903, Bracebridge, ONT
d. April 7, 1992
An outstanding stick-handler, Bailey scored 193 points in 313 games at left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs beginning in 1926, and he was the National Hockey League's leading scorer in 1928-29 with 32 points on 22 goals and 10 assists.
On December 12, 1933, Toronto was playing at Boston Garden when Bruins' defenseman Eddie Shore was checked hard. Shore mistakenly thought Bailey had been the culprit, and he retaliated by hitting Bailey from behind, flipping him into the air. Bailey came down on his head. He underwent brain surgery twice for his injury.
To raise money for Bailey and his family, the Maple Leafs played an exhibition game against a team of NHL all-stars on February 12, 1934. Shore was one of the all-stars. He and Bailey met at center ice before the game, shook hands, and then embraced. The game was the forerunner of the annual NHL all-star game.