1966-67 Topps 12 Johnny Bower Hockey Card (Front)
1966-67 Topps 12 Johnny Bower Hockey Card (Back)
1966-67 Topps NHL Hockey Card Checklist
Looking to buy this hockey card? Check out what’s available at eBay: Johnny Bower 1966-67
(As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase through the above link)
Card Notes
The oldest active player in the NHL, Johnny does not take a back-seat to the rookies in the goal-tending department. Toronto gave Johnny his second chance in the 1958-59 season and he has started ever since. Won his first Vezina Trophy at age 36.
En Français
Le plus vieux joueur actif dans la LHN, Johnny ne s’en laisse pas imposer par les recrues qui gardent les filets. Toronto donna à Johnny sa deuxième chance durant la saison 1958-59; Toronto n’a jamais regretté ce geste. Il gagna son premier Trophée Vézina à l’age de 36 ans.
Details
After appearing in all 70 games for the New York Rangers in 1953-54, Johnny Bower lost the number role to Gump Worsley. He played just seven more games for the Blue Shirts over the next three years before being buried in the minors. He came to Toronto for the 1958-59 NHL season and renewed his NHL career.
His first Vezina Trophy came in 1960-61. Over 58 games that year, Bower posted a 2.50 goals against average with a pair of shutouts. He was also runner-up that year for the Hart Trophy, not far behind winner Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens. His second of two Vezina wins came in 1964-65.
In 1966-67, Johnny split time with Terry Sawchuk and Bruce Gamble during the regular season with Sawchuk seeing the bulk of action in the post season. However, two games Bower played in the final against the Montreal Canadiens were outstanding. He made 31 saves in a game two 3-0 shutout to even the series at 1-1. The Maple Leafs battered Montreal goalie Rogie Vachon with 43 shots.
In game 3, a second overtime period was needed to determine a winner. Bob Pulford scored at the 8:26 mark to give Toronto the win, assisted by Pete Stemkowski and Jim Pappin. Bower made an amazing 61 saves on 63 shots in the 3-2 win. Sawchuk finishing out the series with the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup in six.
Johnny Bower played 552 regular season and 74 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1953-54 and 1969-70 with the Rangers and Maple Leafs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976. His jersey number 1 has been retired by Toronto in the NHL and the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL.