Login to enter your own
review of this item.
Center total is the Seller's overall score, averaged from each active component:
Atomic Mall Feedback: Imported Feedback: Order Fulfillment Rate: |
100.0 99.3 100 | |
Trophies Earned |
Bower's big break came in the summer of 1958 when the Leafs, for whatever reason, claimed him from Cleveland at the Intra-League Draft. Bower was at first reluctant to join the Leafs, even though they had finished in last place the previous season, telling them he could be of no help to the team. It was only after being threatened with suspension that he showed up for training camp that fall, and within days he had established himself as the team's number one goalie at age 34. He was to play a total of 12 years with the Leafs.
Bower, like his other five Original Six brethren, became famous for his fearless play. Maskless, he never shied away from an attacking player and in fact patented the most dangerous move a goalie can make - the poke-check. Diving head-first into the skates of an attacking player at full speed, Bower would routinely flick the puck off that player's stick and out of harm's way. One time he got a skate in his cheek, knocking a tooth out through his cheek. He suffered innumerable cuts to his mouth and lips and lost virtually every tooth in his mouth from sticks and pucks, but almost to his last game, he never wore a mask. And under the confident eye of coach Punch Imlach, Bower got better and better. He led the Leafs into the playoffs his first season with a miracle comeback ending to the schedule, and then lost two finals in a row before winning three consecutive Stanley Cup championships - 1962 to 1964.At this time, Bower's career seemed precarious. Imlach noticed that Bower was having trouble with long shots and ordered his keeper to undergo an eye exam. Sure enough, he was short-sighted. But Bower refused to retire and kept right on going, teaming with Terry Sawchuk to win the memorable 1967 Cup with Toronto's Over-the-Hill Gang of players, led by the 43-year-old Bower himself.
After he retired in 1970 as the oldest goalie ever to play in the NHL, Bower remained with the Leafs for many years as a scout and then goalie coach, putting the pads on and helping Leaf goalies in practice. At one injury-riddled time during the 1979-1980 season, he came within a whisker, at age 56, of dressing as the team's backup. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Bower is one of only a select few to have his number honored by the Leafs.
COLLECTABLE: BOWER & BELIVEAU PHOTO CARD SET
This 8x10 photo & cards features Johnny Bower & Jean Beliveau. The photo is hand autographed by both legends and comes museum framed.
This item is 20 x 20 inches; not including the frame. View additional photos below.
CERTIFICATION
Autograph Authentic is auctioning this collectable item. Autograph Authentic is present at all Old Timers' Hockey Games. We are a marketing and promotion company that has been directly involved with memorabilia for over twenty years. All signed item comes with a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the autograph(s) to be 100% real.
Thanks for bidding and please leave us a five star positive rating!
Feedback is as important to us as our Customers' Satisfaction. If there is any reason you feel you can not give us a five star positive rating, please message, email, phone or contact us first as we can rectify the situation.
PAYMENT & SHIPPING
Pay us securely with any major credit card through PayPal!
$35.00 shipping and handling across North America
APPLICABLE SALES TAX
PROVINCE/TERRITORY TAX CHARGE USA not applicable INTERNATIONAL not applicable CANADA specific by province British Columbia 12% Alberta 5% Saskatchewan 10% Manitoba 12% Ontario 13% Qu bec 12.5% Newfoundland and Labrador 13% Nova Scotia 15% New Brunswick 13% Prince Edward Island 15% Northwest Territories 5% Nunavut 5% Yukon 5% QUESTIONS? (416) 638-7763
Powered by Atomic Mall AtomicTransporter