Cherry still can’t understand why it took NHL so long to recognize Bower’s quality
TORONTO — Don Cherry still finds it hard to understand why it took Johnny Bower so long to become an NHL regular.
Bower spent 13 seasons in the American Hockey League before earning a permanent spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1958. He went on to play 11 full seasons with Toronto, twice capturing the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie and winning four Stanley Cups, including the franchise’s last in 1967.
The legendary former goaltender died Tuesday night after a short battle with pneumonia at the age of 93. Cherry, 83, the colourful hockey commentator on Hockey Night in Canada, spent nearly 20 years in hockey’s minor leagues, often facing off against Bower when the two were toiling in the AHL.
“I don’t think you’re going to talk to anyone who played against him further back than me,” said Cherry. “Boy, what a goaltender he was in the minors.