On Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the hockey world learned of the passing of Howie Meeker. The former player, coach and broadcaster was 97 years-old.
At 4:15 pm, the Toronto Maple Leafs released a statement informing their fans of his passing. It mentions that Meeker “is survived by his wife Leah, his six children – daughters Jane Tucker (husband Walter), Peggy Barbour, Kim Horwood and sons Howie Jr., Mike & Andy – 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, his sisters-in-law Jean Meeker and Anne Hammer, brother-in-law Ken Hammer and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.”
When the news of his passing was made public, many tweets were posted from almost everyone within the hockey community and beyond. From Dave Hodge to Don Cherry to Chris Cuthbert, and many others all sharing this sad news. Even the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, tweeted the following.
Howie Meeker lived a life and charted a path like no other. A four-time Stanley Cup winner, a Member of Parliament, and a beloved television broadcaster, he was a great Canadian and will be missed. My condolences to his loved ones and everyone who looked up to him.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2020
It became clear to all of those who may not have known already that Howie Meeker was loved by one and all. Meeker had been the oldest member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Allumni.
World War Two
During his junior hockey career, Meeker would miss the 1943-44 season after joining the Canadian Military and leaving to fight in World War Two overseas. While fighting in the war, Meeker got seriously injured by a grenade. He suffered 44 shrapnel wounds and fractured both his legs.
While he was in his hospital bed in England, Meeker wrote a letter to Hap Day, who was the head coach of Maple Leafs at the time. He asked to removed from the team’s player list. With the amount of damage to his legs, Meeker wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to skate again. Luckily he made a full recovery, and Hap Day didn’t remove him from the player list.
After the war had ended, Meeker returned to the OHA for the 1945-46 season to play with the Stratford Indians. He recorded 13 points in seven games. (Stats and some information from wikipedia.com).
Toronto Maple Leafs
Howie Meeker joined the Leafs in the 1946-47 season. He scored 27 goals and 18 assists for 45 points in 55 games. That would earn him the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. His first season in the NHL also saw Meeker appear in the All-Star Game and also win the Stanley Cup.
In that first season, he set an NHL record that still has yet to be broken. He scored five goals in a single game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the most goals ever scored by a rookie in one game.
Meeker would end up playing eight seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and during that time, he recorded 83 goals and 102 assists for 185 points in 346 games. He helped the team win four Stanley Cups in 1947, ’48, ’49 and ’51
The famous goal by the late Bill Barilko that won the 1951 Stanley Cup for the Leafs came from a pass by Meeker from behind the Montreal Canadiens net. He retired at the age of 30 after the 1953-54 season. After his retirement, Meeker coached the Leafs for one season in 1956-57 and finished the season with a 21-34-15 record.
Broadcasting
During the 1970s and ’80s, Meeker could be seen every Saturday night on CBC Hockey Night in Canada as a colour commentator. He enjoyed using the telestrator to freeze plays and explain his thoughts while analyzing the play for the viewers at home.
He later joined TSN in 1987 when they gained the NHL cable rights. He stayed with TSN until he retired in 1998.
Final Thoughts
I’m not old enough to remember Meeker from his playing days or from his time with Hockey Night in Canada, but I do remember him from his days with TSN. I also remember him taking part in special events put on by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I would like to extend my condolences to the entire Meeker family. He will be missed by many.