Johnny Bower

Johnny Bower was born on November 8, 1924 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Bower grew up one of nine children in a poor family. He played hockey using borrowed equipment and in 1940 lied about his age to join the Canadian Army. He was discharged from service in 1944 and returned to Canada, playing junior hockey with the Prince Albert Hawks. He was probably the only four year war vetran to be playing junior hockey and by 1945 started his professional career singing with the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League (AHL). For the majority of his early career he was a minor league goalie with short stints in the NHL, playing with the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.

Johnny Bower's big break came when the Toronto Maple Leafs claimed him from the Cleveland Barons. But he still had his work cut out for him, coming to the Leafs as a 34 year old goalie. He turned around the struggling Leafs with his solid play between the pipes and a positive attitude to boot. He was a fearless player, tending goal without any facial protection and often using his signature play - the poke check. Bower led the Leafs to three consecutive Stanley Cup victories between 1962-64 and teamed up with hall of famer Terry Sawchuk in 1967 to win his fourth Stanley Cup. He also won the Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender in the NHL during 1961 and 1965. After 25 years in pro-hockey, Johnny Bower retired from hockey in 1970 but stayed with the Maple Leafs organization in other capacities. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976 and has had his #1 honoured by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Johnny Bower's Career Statistics

Year     Team                 GP    W   L   T  SO   AVG
1953-54  New York Rangers     70   29  31  10   5  2.60       
1954-55  New York Rangers      5    2   2   1   0  2.60       
1956-57  New York Rangers      2    0   2   0   0  3.00       
1958-59  Toronto Maple Leafs  39   15  17   7   3  2.72
1959-60  Toronto Maple Leafs  66   34  24   8   5  2.68
1960-61  Toronto Maple Leafs  58   33  15  10   2  2.50
1961-62  Toronto Maple Leafs  59   31  18  10   2  2.56
1962-63  Toronto Maple Leafs  42   20  15   7   1  2.60
1963-64  Toronto Maple Leafs  51   24  16  11   5  2.11
1964-65  Toronto Maple Leafs  34   13  13   8   3  2.38
1965-66  Toronto Maple Leafs  35   18  10   5   3  2.25
1966-67  Toronto Maple Leafs  27   12   9   3   2  2.64
1967-68  Toronto Maple Leafs  43   14  18   7   4  2.25       
1968-69  Toronto Maple Leafs  20    5   4   3   2  2.85
1969-70  Toronto Maple Leafs   1    0   1   0   0  5.00       
Career Totals                552  250 195  90  37  2.51

Johnny Bower Pictures

Autographed Johnny Bower Memorabilia and Collectibles