Players, fans to honour Bower

The Toronto Maple Leafs, their players, NHL alumni and thousands of fans will gather Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre for one last tribute to Johnny Bower, who gave so much of his career to the franchise.

Many of Bower’s teammates from the 1960s Stanley Cup years will attend, with the speakers expected to include Dave Keon, Frank Mahovlich, Ron Ellis as well as grandson Johnny Bower III and Leafs president Brendan Shanahan. NHL executive representation is being finalized, with many of Bower’s former opposing players expected.

Bower died at age 93 from pneumonia on Dec. 26.

Before Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, there was a moment of silence and a pregame tribute. For winger James van Riemsdyk, who has seen many happy teamthemed events at the ACC the past few years, many involving Bower, this will be different.

“It’s a sad day, but it will be a celebration of the great things he did and how much he meant to so many people,” van Riemsdyk said. “It was always cool to see him (introduced) for different things during a game and people going nuts for him on the Jumbotron. I remember when he got his Legends Row statue, there was a pretty cool picture of him and his wife, being pretty elated. In the small experiences I had with him, he’s a good man as well as a great player. But why everyone loved him so much? He was a great person.”

Leaf radio voice Joe Bowen, who recalled meeting Bower as a star- struck lad from Sudbury in the mid1960s, will emcee Wednesday’s event. The 48th Highlanders, who have played at the Leafs’ home opener since 1931, will also be part of the ceremony.

The event will be streamed live online at www. mapleleafs.com. Seating for the public will only be in the stands with the arena floor reserved for the family and special guests.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Trillium Health Partners/Credit Valley Hospital or to the Mississauga Humane Society are being accepted. Online condolences may be made at www. glenoaks.ca.

Johnny Bower