Leafs goalies Andersen and McElhinney pay the ultimate respect to Johnny Bower

Yesterday’s Memorial Service for legendary Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Johnny Bower was one of the most emotionally stirring events in team history. The man who brought so many smiles and great memories to a city and a fanbase was laid to rest yesterday afternoon amid a mixture of tears and joy. It was a funeral sure, but it was also a celebration of life and Bower’s life was a life well lived.

On hand for the ceremony was the entire Leafs roster, including Leafs goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney who served as pallbearers. The Bower family reached out to the two Leafs’ netminders during their recent road trip and asked if they’d pay Bower the ultimate respect in help laying him to rest. Andersen didn’t hesitate for a moment, he immediately accepted the honour. "His legacy is going to go on forever," Andersen said after the ceremony. "He's a hero. He's going to be a role model on the ice and off the ice."

The Leafs goaltender had known Bower for less than two years, having been acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in the summer of 2016. For McElhinney, his relationship was even shorter, having joined the team just last season. But for Bower and the Bower family, both goalies were seen as carrying on the Toronto goaltending tradition that Bower himself was so proud of. Call it a passing of the torch.

But, Andersen realizes that he has a lot of work to do in Toronto before he can even begin to touch Bower’s career accomplishments. "I don't think I can put myself in the same sentence as him yet," Andersen said.

"That's the thing that stands out the most about being a Leaf," he said. "You get to be around these legends. And when you go around the city, you meet people who have been Leafs fans for generations.”

“It’s like a religion and it’s a great honour.”

Well said, Freddie. RIP, Mr. Bower.