Leafs, NHL celebrate Johnny Bower's life at ACC memorial

Kaylee Pofahl

•
Leafs, NHL celebrate Johnny Bower's life at ACC memorial image

The hockey world came together Wednesday afternoon at Air Canada Centre for a Celebration of Life memorial event to honor former Maple Leafs goaltender Johnny Bower. From NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to former teammates Frank Mahovlich and Ron Ellis, icons around the league united to mourn the loss of the Hall of Fame legend , who died on Dec. 26 at age 93.

Longtime Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen was the master of ceremonies, sharing the stage with Brendan Shanahan, David Keon and Bower's grandson, Johnny III, among others. Memories and thoughts were shared of Bower's life and playing career with fans filling the arena. 

“Although our immediate family is relatively small, we are members of a much larger family--that of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Johnny III said in his speech. “As Grandpa would say, we know this is the year. You have an angel watching down from the rafters at the Air Canada Centre center who will be enjoying every minute of your chase for the Stanley Cup."

Bower's casket was placed below center stage and dressed in a Toronto Maple Leafs flag. 

"Johnny Bower was the kind of person that every teammate wanted to have on the ice with him. He was really a gentle warrior," said Shanahan, the Maple Leafs president. "I think about our current players right now as well, or really anybody that is fortunate enough to play in the NHL. What a blueprint that this man has laid out for all of us here in the city of Toronto. What it was like to be a professional athlete but also, more importantly, what it was like to be a professional athlete away from the game, after the game. What an incredible person."

The Leafs honored Bower with a pregame ceremony Tuesday night before their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Current Leafs players wore Bower’s No. 1 jersey during the team’s warm-up and his banner was lowered in the rafters of Air Canada Centre as a pre-game tribute.

 

 

The Maple Leafs will wear “JB” patches on their jerseys and stickers on their helmets for the remainder of the season to continue honoring Bower's legacy. 

Bower helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cup titles in the 60s and was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner. A four-time All-Star, he recorded 37 NHL shutouts and led the league in goals against average on three different occasions. Upon retirement, Bower served as a goaltending coach and scout for the Maple Leafs for 20 years. 

 

 

Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Bower was the only boy of nine children. He played until he was 45-years-old and didn't wear a mask until his final full season. Bower lost nearly all his teeth and needed at least 200 stitches in his face in a career that began in 1953-54 with the New York Rangers. 

Bower is survived by his wife, Nancy, their three children, Cindy, Barbara and John Jr., as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Kaylee Pofahl