Johnny Bower

John William Bower (b. November 8th 1924 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; d. December 26, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario) was a Canadian professional goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Veteran of the Second World War, Bower returned home from England where he served in the Canadian Army to play for his home Prince Albert Blackhawks junior team. The following season, Bower joined the American Hockey League's Providence Reds. He would play a single game for the Reds before joining the Cleveland Barons, where he would play eight seasons.
The New York Rangers showed interest in Bower and signed him in 1953. However, he was sent down to the Vancouver Canucks of the defunct Western Hockey League. Bower returned to the Providence Reds the next season, winning the Calder Cup.
In 1958, the Toronto Maple Leafs claim Bower. There, he could finally enjoy regular NHL action for eleven seasons, winning the Vezina Trophy twice and the Stanley Cup four times.
In 1976, Bower is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
On December 26, 2017 he passed away of pneumonia in a Toronto hospital at the age of 93.
==Gallery==
24Nov1954-Mohns_on_Bower_Evans_Costello.jpg|Doug Mohns is stopped by Johnny Bower while Jack Evans holds off Murray Costello, November 24, 1954.
JBowerNYR.jpg|Bower with the New York Rangers.
18Oct1958-Mackell_Chevrefils_Bower.jpg|Fleming Mackell, Real Chevrefils and Johnny Bower, October 18, 1958.
1958-59-Horvath_Bower_Brewer.jpg|Johnny Bower, Carl Brewer and Bronco Horvath (wearing his jaw protector), January 10, 1959.
1959-Jan10-Horvath scores Bower.jpg|Bronco Horvath scores on Johnny Bower, January 10, 1959.
1959-60-Wilson_Bucyk_Bower.jpg|Johnny Wilson, John Bucyk and Johnny Bower in 1959-60 action.
1959-Apr4-Bucyk-Bower-Game6.jpg|John Bucyk, Johnny Bower, Game 6 of the 1959 Semi-finals, April 4, 1959.
1961-Jan7-Labine goal.gif|Leo Labine scores, January 7, 1961.
23Dec1961-Oliver_Bower.jpg|Murray Oliver scoring one of three goals on Johnny Bower, December 23, 1961.
Bucyk_goal-13Oct1963.gif|John Bucyk scores on Johnny Bower, October 13, 1962.
23Feb1963-Mohns_Oliver_Bower.jpg|Doug Mohns, Murray Oliver, Johnny Bower, February 23, 1963.
Oliver_goal-17Oct1964.gif|Murray Oliver scores on the power play, October 17, 1964.
19Dec1965-Bower_Williams_Douglas_Fleming.jpg|Bruins Tom Williams and #19 Reg Fleming, Leafs Johnny Bower and Kent Douglas, December 19, 1965.
Orr_goal-18Feb1967.gif|Bobby Orr ties the game, February 18, 1967.
1968-Jan6-Westfall goal.gif|Ed Westfall scores, January 6, 1968.
Bucyk_goal-Game2-3Apr1969.gif|John Bucyk makes it 2-0, 1969 Quarter-finals Game 2, April 3, 1969.
==External Links==
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Category:Prince Albert Black Hawks alumni
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Bower, Johnny
Category:Vezina Trophy winners
Category:NHL All-Stars
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Calder Cup champions
Category:Retired in 1969
Category:Dead in 2017