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Bower's big break came in the summer of 1958 when the Leafs, for whatever reason, claimed him from Cleveland at the Intra-League Draft (Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum 2001-2003). Bower was at first reluctant to join the Leafs, even though they had finished in last place the previous season, telling them he could be of no help to the team (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). It was only after being threatened with suspension that he showed up for training camp that fall, and within days he had established himself as the team's number one goalie at age 34 (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). He was to play a total of 12 years with the Leafs (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003).
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Bower, like his other five Original Six brethren, became famous for his fearless play (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). Mask less, he never shied away from an attacking player and in fact patented the most dangerous move a goalie can make - the poke-check. Diving head-first into the skates of an attacking player at full speed, Bower would routinely flick the puck off that players stick and out of harms way (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). One time he got a skate in his cheek, knocking a tooth out through his cheek (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). He suffered innumerable cuts to his mouth and lips and lost virtually every tooth in his mouth from sticks and pucks, but almost to his last game, he never wore a mask (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). And under the confident eye of coach Punch Imlach, Bower got better and better (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003). He led the Leafs into the playoffs his first season with a miracle comeback ending to the schedule, and then lost two finals in a row before winning three consecutive Stanley Cup championships - 1962 to 1964 (H.H.F.M. 2001-2003).
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