Johnny Bower came to be known as one of the greatest Toronto Maple Leafs of all time, but he started from humble beginnings. He taught himself to play hockey on the frozen rivers of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, using a tree branch his father had sharpened into a stick and a cut-up old mattress for goalie pads. He’d spend hours in the frigid air, learning to catch the puck in mittened hands, never dreaming he would one day share the same ice as his Saturday-night idols. But share it he did, dominating the Leafs net for four Stanley Cup victories in the 1960s. He spent eleven seasons with the Leafs, playing well into his forties, although many believed he was older.

In Bower, bestselling author Dan Robson shares the never-before-told stories of Johnny’s life and career, drawing on extensive interviews with his wife, Nancy, and his immediate family, close teammates such as Leaf greats George Armstrong and Bobby Baun, and the friends who knew him and loved him best.

DAN ROBSON is a senior writer at Sportsnet. His writing has also appeared in the Canadian Press, on CBC and in the Toronto Star. He is the author of the bestseller Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend and co-author of the bestsellers The Crazy Game: How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond with Clint Malarchuk and Change Up: How to Make the Great Game of Baseball Even Better with Buck Martinez.

TWITTER: @robsondan

www.danrobsonstories.com

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“Dan Robson shares the never-before-told stories of Johnny’s life and career, drawing on interviews with those who knew and loved him best.” — Canada’s History

“Robson does a great job of exploring some of the mysteries involving Bower, such as how old he really was, why and when he changed his name and why he did not appear in the NHL until late in his career.” — Winnipeg Free Press

“If you didn’t already, you’re going to like and admire Pat Quinn after you’ve read this book—and if you knew him, you’re going to miss him even more.” — Stephen Brunt, Sportsnet, on Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend

“A gem . . . chock-full of fascinating, intimate details.” — Publishers Weekly on Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend

“A compelling portrait of the NHL legend. . . . Quinn emerges as a man with incredible drive and determination.” — The Globe and Mail on Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend