Eddie began his hockey career with the Guelph Biltmores of the Ontario Hockey League in 1952-53. He stayed there for 5 seasons, when, in 1957-58 he moved to the Providence Reds of the AHL. During the 6 seasons prior to coming to the NHL, Shack led the OHA only once, and that was in 1956-57 when he was on top with 57 assists. That same year he averaged 2 points per game.

In 1958-59 Shack began his NHL career with the New York Rangers, where in his second season he was sent down to the Springfield Indians for a short stint. While with the Rangers Eddie managed only 16 goals in a little more than 2 seasons, and early in the 1960-61 season Shack was traded to Toronto for Pat Hannigan and John Wilson.

The change must have agreed with Eddie because in less than a full season with Toronto he scored 14 goals, only 2 less than in his previous 2 plus seasons. For the next 6 seasons, Shack stayed with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he was a part of 4 Stanley Cups.

In 1967-68 he was traded to Boston for Murray Oliver and cash. Following that, Shack saw action in Los Angeles, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh and again in Toronto. Shack did become the second player to have 20 goal seasons with 5 or more NHL teams; the first was Dean Prentice.

Shack was known as a bit of a wild man, a clown and even a tough guy, but beyond all that he was an exceptional skater, had a hard shot and was willing to do whatever it took to win. Shack was just the type of player who could act as a spoiler. In 1966, Douglas Rankine performed a song, "Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack". The first lines of that song went; "Clear the track, here comes Shack He knocks 'em down and he gives them a whack". This was Eddie's style, tough, driven and he got the job done.

After his hockey career ended, you would often see Eddie on TV or hear him on the radio as a spokesman for Canadian Tire, Speedy Muffler King and the Pop Shoppe where Eddie had "a nose for value!"

Personally, the author has had two occasions to meet up with Eddie. The first was at an Old Timers game at Varsity Arena in Toronto, where Eddie was the referee. After one of the periods was over, Eddie picked up the puck, and as he was skating by I yelled to Eddie to toss the puck up for my son. Eddie made an 8 year old happy that night. The second time I saw Eddie was at a book release by Ross Brewitt, coach of the Old Timers. I think it was around 1993. We were at a bar in Mississauga, Ontario with several Old Timers, Shack, Chico Maki and a few others. After all of the hoopla was over I spotted Eddie sitting by himself at the bar, so I went over to him, naturally nervous, and asked him if I could sit with him. Well a couple of plates of wings, and a beer or two later Eddie and I parted ways. He probably doesn't remember that night, but he made a 40 year old happy.