Johnny Mowers

John Thomas "Mum" Mowers (October 29, 1916 – December 7, 1995) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1940 and 1947. In 1943 he won the Vezina Trophy for allowing the fewest goals against in the NHL.

Playing career Mowers started his hockey career with the Niagara Falls of the OHA Senior A League. He had an excellent amateur career before playing with the Detroit Pontiacs of the MOHL and the Omaha Knights of the American Hockey Association.

His 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.

Next season, Mowers goals against average increased as 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 Final against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings won the first three games but the Leafs made a remarkable comeback winning the next four games. Mowers let in 19 goals in the four losses.

Despite the defeat, Mowers and the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup next season. Mowers was also awarded the Vezina Trophy for his efforts.

In 1943, he enlisted in the army and did not play again until 1947. When he came back he found his job lost to Harry Lumley. He appeared in two more games in 1948 with the Indianapolis Capitals before retiring.

Awards and achievements Vezina Trophy Winner in 1943. Selected to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1943. Stanley Cup Championship in 1943.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T Min GA SO GAA GP W L T Min GA SO GAA 1935–36 Niagara Falls Cataracts OHA-Sr. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1935–36 Niagara Falls Cataracts A-Cup — — — — — — — — 2 0 2 0 120 12 0 6.00 1936–37 Niagara Falls Cataracts OHA-Sr. 18 — — — 1080 54 0 3.00 9 — — — 540 30 0 3.33 1937–38 Niagara Falls Cataracts OHA-Sr. 16 — — — 960 50 0 3.12 7 7 0 0 420 16 0 2.29 1938–39 Niagara Falls Cataracts OHA-Sr. 20 — — — 1200 63 4 3.15 — — — — — — — — 1939–40 Detroit Pontiacs MOHL 20 — — — 1200 84 0 4.20 — — — — — — — — 1939–40 Omaha Knights AHA 21 16 5 0 1272 41 3 1.93 9 4 5 0 610 21 1 2.07 1940–41 Detroit Red Wings NHL 48 21 16 11 3040 102 4 2.01 9 4 5 0 561 20 0 2.14 1941–42 Detroit Red Wings NHL 47 19 25 3 2880 144 5 3.00 12 7 5 0 720 38 0 3.17 1942–43 Detroit Red Wings NHL 50 25 14 11 3010 124 6 2.47 10 8 2 0 679 22 2 1.94 1943–44 Toronto RCAF TNDHL 9 3 6 0 540 53 0 5.89 — — — — — — — — 1946–47 Detroit Red Wings NHL 7 0 6 1 420 29 0 4.14 1 0 1 0 40 5 0 7.50 1947–48 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 2 1 1 0 120 7 0 3.50 — — — — — — — — NHL totals 152 65 61 26 9350 399 15 2.56 32 19 13 0 2000 85 2 2.55