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Uploaded By: PRESIDENT on August 18th, 2019

John Thomas "Mum" Mowers - Born October 29, 1916 in St. David's, Ontario - Died December 7, 1995 was a Canadian ice Hockey goaltender and coach.

Mowers started his Hockey career with the Niagara Falls Brights Hockey Club (Niagara Falls Cataracts), leading the OHA Sr. in GAA (3,00) with the Cataracts, 1936-37, and then led the OHA Sr. in playoffs GAA (1,00) and playoffs shutouts (1) with the Cataracts, 1937-38. He had an excellent amateur career before turning pro.

During his first year as a pro, Mowers divided his time between the Detroit Pontiacs of the MOHL and the Omaha Knights of the AHA.

Mowers 1.93 goals against average with the Omaha Knights inspired Jack Adams to sign Mowers for the 1941 season with the Detroit Red Wings. Veteran Tiny Thompson was not playing up to expectations so Mowers was put in net instead. He was so impressive in his first season, that he almost won both the Vezina Trophy and the Calder Memorial Trophy, a feat that has only been accomplished by Frank Brimsek. He lost the Calder to Johnny Quilty and the Vezina to Turk Broda that season.

Mowers goals against average increased in the 1941-42 season, and the Detroit Red Wings plummeted to 5th place. He regained his skills in the playoffs leading the Red Wings all the way to the Stanley Cup finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings won the first 3 games but the Maple Leafs made a remarkable comeback winning the next 4 games. Mowers let in 19 goals in the 4 losses.

in 1943 Detroit defeated the Bruins in four-straight games to take the Stanley Cup championship. Mowers was outstanding in goal, winning eight of his team playoff games, while recording two shutouts and a 1.94 GAA. The shutouts came at the most opportune time as he blanked the Bruins in Games Three (4-0) and Four (2-0) of the championship finals.

The regular season was also kind to the lanky goalie who won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie and was also honoured by being named to the NHL's First All-Star Team.

In 1943, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and played for the Toronto RCAF in the 1943-44 season.

In 1945-46 he coached the Wembley Lions of the British League before returning to North America for the 1946-47 season. Mowers would not play again until 1947. When he came back to the NHL he found his job lost to Harry Lumley.

Mowers played one more year of Hockey with the Indianapolis Capitals in 1947-48 before retiring after being plagued by back troubles.

John Mowers was inducted into the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame in 1992.

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