The Eddie Shore Award is annually awarded to the player chosen by the AHL coaches, media and players as the best defenseman in the league.
Eddie Shore, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and an inaugural inductee into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2006, is widely acknowledged as one of hockey’s all-time greatest defensemen.
In 1939, Shore purchased the Springfield Indians while still an active player with the NHL’s Boston Bruins. Upon his retirement, he devoted his full attention to his AHL investment. When the United States Army took over the Eastern States Coliseum during World War II, Shore moved to Buffalo and managed the Bisons to two Calder Cup championships.
The Indians franchise was reactivated in 1946-47 and Shore remained part of the team until he sold it in 1976. With Shore at the helm, Springfield captured Calder Cup titles in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1971 and 1975.