old time hockey...

ed Horner, a Hall of Fame defenseman who was one of hockey's most rugged players of the 1930's, died Wednesday in Toronto. He was 95.

His death was announced by the National Hockey League, which said he was believed to be its oldest former player.

Making his debut in 1928, Horner played 12 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was their captain from 1938 to 1940. He led the league in penalty minutes for eight consecutive seasons, receiving 1,264 penalty minutes to go with 42 goals and 110 assists. His 167 penalty minutes in 1936 established a league record that stood for 20 years.

Horner did his share of fighting the night of Dec. 12, 1933, in one of the most frightening episodes in league history, when the Maple Leafs played the Bruins in Boston.

In the second period, Horner slammed Eddie Shore, the Bruins' tough defenseman and a future Hall of Famer, into the boards. Shore then sent Maple Leafs wing Ace Bailey head-first to the ice - tripping him with his stick, according to the Associated Press account - leaving Bailey with a fractured skull. Moments later, Horner knocked Shore unconscious with a right to the jaw. Conn Smythe, the owner of the Maple Leafs, then fought with several fans near the Maple Leafs' dressing room.

Bailey underwent brain surgery and his career was ended. Shore, who sustained a bloody scalp, received a 16-game ban while Horner was suspended for 6 games.