Toronto Maple Leafs: Remembering Johnny Bower
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Johnny Bower has passed away at the age of 93.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the most impressive histories of any NHL team. Though they haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, their 13 titles are the second-most of all-time. The Leafs were kings of the NHL in the 1940s and 1960s, winning nine of their cups during those two decades. A huge reason for their success in the latter decade was goaltender Johnny Bower.
Sadly, the Leafs have confirmed he passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26 at the age of 93. Bower remains the last Toronto goaltender to win a Stanley Cup, making four appearances in the 1967 postseason. He won both of his decisions that year.
Bower played a much larger role in their three consecutive Stanley Cups from 1962 to 1964, allowing just 66 goals in 34 playoff games with four shutouts in that three-year span.
For many Leafs fans, he represents the good days. Bower has remained close to the organization even after his playing days. He has a statue in front of the Air Canada Centre. Bower is second all-time among Leafs goaltenders with 219 wins, trailing only Turk Broda.
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Recently, he was named to the NHL 100 list, celebrating the top 100 players in league history. It’s hard to tell his legacy across the NHL because it’s extremely difficult to judge goaltenders across different eras.
However, what Bower did is extremely impressive because he got such a late start to this career. His first NHL season came with the New York Rangers in 1953, appearing in a league-high 70 games. However, Bower would appear in just seven games for them after that season.
A trade to the Cleveland Barons in 1957 led to him being claimed by the Leafs at the 1958 Inter-League draft. Bower was 34 years old at the time. But the Leafs claiming him turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as he went on to have a lot of success with them.
Next: Bower Highlights Maple Leafs All-Time Team
While Bower’s legacy across the NHL might be hard to discern, his legacy with the Maple Leafs is much simpler. He’s one of the best players to ever wear a Toronto sweater.