A MAPLE LEAFS LEGEND IN THE NET HAS DIED. JOHNNY BOWER PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 93.
THE GOALTENDER HELPED THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS WIN THE STANLEY CUP FOUR TIMES IN THE 1960'S.
HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME IN 1976 AND EVEN AFTER RETIREMENT, HE CONTINUED GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
HIS NICKNAME ON THE ICE WAS THE "CHINA WALL" FOR HIS UNSTOPPABLE ACTION INSIDE THE NET.
IN A STATEMENT FROM THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAF ORGANIZATION, MAPLE LEAFS PRESIDENT BRENDAN SHANAHAN SAYS "JOHNNY WAS BELOVED BY SO MANY FOR MUCH MORE THAN HIS HALL OF FAME CREDENTIALS AS A PLAYER. IT WAS HIS GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, KINDNESS AND PASSION FOR PEOPLE THAT MADE HIM A LEGEND AT LIFE."
BOWER RETIRED IN 1970 AS THE SECOND-OLDEST GOALTENDER EVER TO PLAY IN THE NHL AND CONTINUED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN A RANGE OF WAYS.
HE LEAVES BEHIND HIS WIFE OF 69 YEARS NANCY AND THREE CHILDREN.