"Eric Irving 'Tiger' Mackie was born on March 17th, 1914 on Prince Edward Island. He grew up in the Stanley Bridge and Southport area on his families farm. He began playing hockey at a very young age and had success with the sport early. He was a member of the 1932 Maritime Champion Charlottetown Abbies team and thus began a 30 year professional hockey career that spanned both Canada and the United States. Tiger Mackie tried out for the Boston Bruins in 1935 but failed to make the team, however he did play pro hockey in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Quebec, and Glace Bay before returning to his 'adopted home' of Port Hawkesbury and playing locally.
Tiger Mackie settled in Port Hawkesbury and lived much of his life there. Early on he worked developing installations of artificial ice plants and cooling systems for local rinks and was instrumental in creating Port Hawkesbury's first ice rink. He later became president of the Strait Area Minor Hockey Association and spent most of his years coaching local teams while working as a welder with Stora Forest Industries.
Tiger Mackie played hockey well into his 80's and died in Port Hawkesbury in 2003 at the age of 89. He was inducted into the Port Hawkesbury Sports Wall of Fame as a builder due to his work in the creation of the areas first hockey rink. Tiger had three children, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren upon his death and was predeceased by his wife Elsie. The annual 'Tiger Mackie Tournament' has been run in his honour for over thirty years at Port Hawkesbury and celebrates his dedication and commitment to the game. of Port Hawkesbury and playing locally."