Mightiest Bruin

Ever since early last month, when the Boston Bruins body-checked and spilled the pressing New York Rangers, most hockey fans have recognized the Bruins as the National Hockey League champions. Early last week the Bruins settled the matter beyond doubt, beating the Detroit Red Wings to put themselves completely out of reach of the pursuing Rangers.

The Bruins are tops this season because of: 1) remarkable defense play; 2) the three most spectacular first-year players in the league--Goalie Frankie Brimsek, Defenseman Jack Crawford and Wing Roy Conacher; 3) canny Manager Art Ross; and 4) gnarled, battling Eddie Shore, the Babe Ruth of Hockey, the mightiest Bruin of them all.

Like all but a handful of league hockey players, 35-year-old Eddie Shore is a Canadian and a scrapper. In his time he has overdone the latter, as a result has none of his own teeth left. His nose has been broken ten times. In one fracas with the Maroons six years ago he got his nose, jaw and four ribs broken, a twisted knee, two shiners. It was by accident that he upset Toronto's "Ace" Bailey in 1933, fracturing his skull, but his reputation was against him. He drew a 46-day suspension, spent most of it gloomily in Bermuda, praying in his own fashion for "Ace" to live.

The Bruins have won three championships. In his 13 years as a Bruin Eddie Shore has four times been judged the most valuable player to his team in the league. This year he was more valuable than ever, indicating that he has a few more seasons left in his well-shellacked frame.

When Manager Ross sold ailing veteran Goalie Cecil ("Tiny") Thompson to Detroit (TIME, Dec. 12) and put Rookie Brimsek in the nets, Boston fans raised the Garden roof. But Eddie Shore, who had been an early holdout, came to work, gave Rookie Crawford many a pointer, all season gave Rookie Brimsek the stoutest defense any goalie ever got. Upshot of that was that Brimsek was this season's No. 1 goalie. Art Ross's other prize performer was 22-year-old Roy Conacher, brother of famed Pucksters Charley and Lionel. Throughout the season Roy has pounded home 22 goals, has the experts saying he might be even better than either Charley or Lionel.

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