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Hockey Hall of Famer and Toronto Maple Leafs great Johnny Bower has died at the age of 93.
Bower won 219 games for the Maple Leafs from 1958 to 1970 and was the primary goaltender for the Leafs last great dynasty; winning four Stanley Cups from 1962 to 1967.
It is with great sadness that the Bower family announces the passing of @MapleLeafs legend #JohnnyBower after a short battle with pneumonia. (Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star) pic.twitter.com/FHayp8xE1t
— John Bower (@Ooks_AD) December 27, 2017
“The entire Toronto Maple Leaf organization is deeply saddened following the passing of Johnny Bower." Team President Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. "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. The Toronto Maple Leafs, and our fans, are deeply indebted to Johnny for all that he gave to us, and taught us over the years. We will miss him dearly, but we know that his presence will forever be felt by our Club and our city. Our deepest sympathies and gratitude go to Nancy, their children and the entire Bower family for sharing their husband, father and grandfather with us for so many years. There may not be a more loved Toronto Maple Leaf nor a former player who loved them as much back.…
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With Auston Matthews returning to the lineup on Saturday, the Leafs have returned winger Kasperi Kapanen to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and the 21-year-old winger will likely see action against the Belleville Senators on Tuesday.
Kapanen scored twice in consecutive games against Detroit and Carolina in his recent call up.
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For those who survived Christmas with their relatives, hockey mercifully returns in the form of the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo and the Toronto Marlies annual Boxing Day game at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Maple Leafs have three prospects active on Monday, as defenseman Eemeli Rasanen and Team Finland take on Team Canada, Joseph Woll and the reigning champion Team USA take on Denmark and 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren face Belarus. With the Leafs inactive until Thursday, we continue to check on the progress of the club’s prospects. This list encompasses all players who Toronto has rights to currently playing in the OHL, QMJHL, WHL, NCAA and Europe, not those playing in the NHL, AHL or ECHL. 2016 Draft Playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, the 21-year-old winger began the season slow, perhaps still recovering from a broken leg suffered last season, but has seven goals with the KHL club and 18 points in 41 games. Korshkov is also playing in international competition for Russia and scored a goal against Slovakia in the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge on December 15.
1:2 - олимпийÑкую Ñборную РоÑÑии вперед выводит Егор Коршков âš¡ï¸#SVKRUS pic.twitter.com/q3Tyn7OaRs
— Хоккей РоÑÑии (@russiahockey) December 15, 2017
Our guy Joseph Woll looking very festive in a #WJC2018 kinda way. Good luck to you and Aapeli at World Juniors in Buffalo on Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/FoXxnrJpPq
— BC Hockey (@BCHockey) December 24, 2017
Buckeyes win!
— Ohio State M Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) December 9, 2017
Lampasso with the OT winner for a 2-1 victory over No. 7 Minnesota. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Zx52LC8mHl