Howie Meeker, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs and longtime broadcaster with Hockey Night in Canada died Sunday at the age of 97 at Nanaino General Hospital in B.C.
Meeker was the oldest living Maple Leaf and was an NHL star, winning the Calder Trophy back in 1947 when he scored 27 goals and 45 points in 55 games, beating out Gordie Howe in his rookie campaign. He played in a total of 346 NHL games (all with Toronto), scoring 83 goals and 185 points. His NHL career ended at the age of 30, but he continued to play throughout the next 15 years in different leagues.
Once retired, he did coach the Maple Leafs for one season, replacing King Clancy in April of 1956, but struggled behind the bench with a 21-34-15 record before moving upstairs as general manager the following season.
However, it was his broadcasting career with Hockey Night in Canada, that made him legendary. Meeker worked for 30 years between CBC and TSN, earning the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 1998 and was famous for phrases like “Jiminy Crickett,” “Golly gee willikers,” and “Stop it right there!”
Pro Hockey Rumors joins in with the rest of the hockey world with thoughts for the Meeker family during this difficult time.
This is sad it is sad to have a great guy leave the earth while his body will RIP his soul is now back home in heaven with God his family and love ones pain free and having a great time our prayers go out to his family
sad to use his death to push ur agenda
I’d like to offer my deepest condolences to the Meeker family. May he Rest In Peace.
Tough day for Canadian hockey fans. Meeker and Treble hours apart.
RIP to two legends
Trebek
Loved watching and listening to Meeker on Saturday nights while I was growing up. Great guy.
Stop it right there!