They both laced up their first pair of skates at the tender age of five. Hockey was played on a nearby outdoor rink, known as the “bog,” or wherever a patch of fresh ice could be found. According to Eugene, “Finding ice was like finding gold,” which proved how something so simple was yet so invaluable to these young men. Both Swartzack brothers began playing organized hockey in Bantam. While playing with the St. John CYO Juvenile team, the brothers along with future St. FX linemate, Jack MacLellan, won the Nova Scotia and Maritime Championship titles. The trio would go on to win the Nova Scotia High School Interscholastic Championship in 1948, while playing for St. Anne’s. With all their success at a young age, it was safe to assume the Swartzack brothers were destined for greatness.
After their flourishing high school careers, Eugene, Eddie, and Jack took their talents to St. Francis Xavier University. Prior to arriving in Antigonish at the ages of 16 and 15 respectively, the Swartzacks had never ventured off Cape Breton Island. Despite their young age, the adjustment from high school to university level hockey did not phase them. The trio went on to be dubbed the legendary “Kid-Line”, a line described to be unstoppable, and still considered to be one of the best in X history.
In their first two seasons at St. FX, the Swartzack wingers were able to lead their team to two Maritime Intercollegiate titles and two Maritime Senior crowns. Although the brothers were individually recognized, their true success stemmed from their cohesive team, composed of many selfless individuals. The Championship team from 1950–51 was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
1950-51 St. FX Hockey Team
To this day, Eddie still holds the record for most goals in a single season, scoring an incredible 60 times in 1950–51. Eugene sits in second place for most points scored in a hockey career at St. FX with 202, only behind Jack MacLellan. Their line’s dominance was cut short when a key member of the trio left St. FX to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime hockey opportunity.
In 1951, Eddie headed West to play for the Montreal Nationales of the Quebec Junior League, leaving behind his brother, his teammates, and an unforgettable legacy at St. FX. Prior to this, Eddie had sent out resumes to four NHL teams in the hope of coming one step closer to his boyhood dream. The Montreal Canadiens were so impressed with Eddie’s statistics that they offered him a tryout, however, he was sent down to play with their Junior team. In his first season, Eddie compiled 68 points, earning the honor of Rookie of the Year, an impressive feat in such a highly competitive league. As far as his salary was concerned, it was a far outcry from today’s standards, as Eddie made only $2500 for the entire hockey season, a figure he negotiated without ever having an agent.
Back at St. FX, Eugene and his fellow teammates were able to capture two additional Intercollegiate titles, even in Eddie’s absence. During the 1951–52 season, the St. FX hockey team applied to represent Canada at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. According to Clarence Campbell, President of the NHL, “The Xaverians loom as the greatest natural yarn since Barbara Ann Scott.” Much to the team’s dismay, the opportunity was instead granted to the Edmonton Mercurys.
During Eddie’s second season in Montreal, he played for the Junior Canadiens. They went on an exhibition tour of the Maritimes, making a stop at St. FX. This was the first time the Swartzack brothers had ever been on opposite ends of the rink, sporting opposing colors, and possessing conflicting goals. While the game was a friendly match, Eddie remembered handing out a few cracks to his brother Eugene as they lined up for the faceoff, and giving him the shoulder as they battled in the corner for the puck. Eugene finished the game with one goal and one assist, while Eddie had two goals and two assists. Montreal came out on top, winning 8–2.
In 1953, Eddie Swartzack received news that he had contracted tuberculosis, jeopardizing his NHL dreams, his illustrious hockey career, and new life in Montreal. According to Eddie, “Once tuberculosis came, it took it all away”. Eddie spent seven months in the hospital in Montreal before being released, and returning home to his parents. He received poor results in regards to further testing, ultimately ending his dream of playing in the NHL. Following encouragement from his parents, Eddie decided to return to St. FX to complete his degree. “There was one good thing,” Eddie stated, “It closed one door but opened up another. I met my wife when I went back to St. FX. In the end it was a blessing.”
Eddie graduated in 1956 with a Commerce degree, marrying his wife, Delores, three days later at St. Ninian’s Cathedral. Eddie began his career with Revenue Canada in Halifax, which eventually led him to Ottawa. He had three children, Michael, Susan and Cindy. Athleticism apparently remained in the genes for Cindy, who competed on Canada’s National Diving team.
Ed Swartzack (Image from STFX Hall of Fame)
Eugene completed his Science degree at St. FX in 1953 before going on to Springfield College to pursue his Masters Degree in Physical Education. While teaching in Halifax in his first two years, he continued to play hockey for the Halifax Wolverines and the Windsor Maple Leafs, winning the scoring title with the Leafs. It was during this time that he met his future wife Joan Burchell, later taking a teaching position in Antigonish where he raised his four children, Mary, Joseph, Eunice and Kay.
Eugene Swartzack (Image from STFX Hall of Fame)
Both Eugene and Eddie Swartzack were inducted into St. FX Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Submitted by Marc LeVangie, Kelsey Lynch & David MacDonald, Human Kinetics 352, December 2009