Remembering a Toronto Sports Legend: Johnny Bower

Johnny Bower, the most recognizable figure of the Original Six Toronto Maple Leafs to fans new and old passed away on December 26th at the age of 93. While Bower's playing career ended after the 1969-1970 campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he remained a polarizing and jolly figure amongst the Toronto and hockey community. Johnny Bower's legacy should be carried in the sense that he will be remembered as a symbol of happiness and triumph both through his play on the ice, and the impression he left so many away from the rink.

Johnny Bower will often be thought of at this point in time in Maple Leafs history as the last starting goalie to win a Stanley Cup while wearing the Maple Leaf on the front of his jersey. In 1967, Bower took the Stanley Cup Finals over stopping 91 of 93 shots against the Montreal Canadiens in Game's two and three.

"My communication with my defensemen was unbelievable." Bower said this past May while appearing on the Naz and Wally Sports Hour. "We worked together very closely [...] it was something we all dreamed of."  Bower was an integral reason as to why the 1967 triumph marked the Maple Leafs fourth Stanley Cup victory in six years.

Part of what made Bower such a polarizing figure in the crease was his ability to fearlessly poke check all those who dared to near his crease. Bower picked up the poke check in New York under the tutelage of Charlie Rayner. Rayner pulled Bower aside after a practice and taught him the move. Not long after the lesson, the poke-check became a go to in Bower's repertoire. 

Off the ice, many fans during the 1960's recall hearing Johnny Bower's voice on a 45 (a phonograph record played at 45 rates per minute) singing his rendition of Honky the Christmas Goose. While Johnny Bower was great at stopping pucks and one of the premier net-minders of his time, there was never a likelihood that he would drop all of it for a career in singing. Despite ribbing and teasing from teammate's, Johnny Bower did sell over 40,000 records of the song.

Ron Ellis who played his entire career with the Toronto Maple Leafs has fond memories of Johnny Bower. Ellis came on as a regular with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1964-1965 season. 

"Johnny was an exception because of his kindness and gentleness." Ellis says about his former teammate. "We became very close and I cherished the fact that I played six years with Johnny." 

Ron Ellis is not the only former teammate of Bower that speaks so fondly of him. The number one Toronto Maple Leaf of all time, David Keon has a special bond with Bower as they both won four Stanley Cups together in Toronto.

"He was a great person, very positive and very giving, and very caring." Keon states of Bower's character. "He was a great goaltender and a great teammate. Every time you saw him he had a smile on his face."

It was not just Johnny Bower's personality which made him a fan favourite. His ability to be one of the best goalies in the NHL during his time is what also led him to endearment by Leaf fans.

"He was a great goaltender. I don't think there was anybody better." Keon recollects about his goaltenders playing career. "He hated to lose, and he hated to let in a goal" Dave Keon added. During the 1960's Johnny Bower would win the Vezina Trophy as the league's most outstanding goaltender twice (1960-1961, 1964-1965). 

Not only was Johnny Bower respected by teammates, but even rivals of the Maple Leafs could not help but admire their adversary. That included Montreal Canadiens great and Hockey Hall of Famer, Yvan Cournoyer. 

"Guys like that, you don't have that many left. Johnny was very nice with the people, he was signing autographs for the people all the time, and he was so pleasant to meet (people) all the time." While Cournoyer and Bower were never teammates, Cournoyer knew of Bower's character. Bower was not just a good hockey player, he was a great hockey player who never failed to bring a smile to the face of his fans, including co-host of the Naz and Wally Sports Hour, Walter Rigobon.

"Johnny Bower lived in our neighbourhood (...) when I was about 7 years old. All the little kids in the neighbourhood used to show up on his driveway, and he always used to take the time for us." Walter remembers fondly of Bower's kindness. "(Johnny would) greet the little kids and make our day." 

Whether you were a teammate, a fan, or even an adversary, Johnny Bower impacted the lives of all he crossed paths with. While being exceptional at your craft, which Bower was, will make you a star, that is not the first thing members of the hockey community will think of when his name is brought to light. It was his gift of positivity, and willingness to make the lives of those around him better that will live on for eternity. While Johnny Bower has passed, his positive spirit will remain for years to come.

Rest in peace Johnny Bower.

November 8th, 1924 - December 26th, 2017