On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed the passing of former Stanley Cup champion and Canadian hockey icon Howie Meeker at the age of 97.
Canadian hockey icon Howie Meeker has passed away at the age of 97.
A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official) on
Meeker won the Stanley Cup four times with the Leafs in the late 1940s, and also had an award-winning 30-year broadcasting career that included over a decade with TSN.
So many grew up with Meeker on their television screens as either a part of the broadcast, or as a critical player during the Original Six-era Leafs.
The hockey world took to Twitter to express their sympathies for one of hockey’s first icons.
We are saddened with the news that our friend Howie Meeker passed away this morning at the age of 97 at Nanaimo General Hospital. @MapleLeafs @HockeyHallFame.Condolences to his wife Leah and family. #RIP pic.twitter.com/90oVm76Arq
— Bernie Pascall (@berniepascall) November 8, 2020
Our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of former NHL player and award-winning broadcaster Howie Meeker, who has died at the age of 97.
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) November 8, 2020
Meeker was one of hockey’s most beloved analysts with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and NHL broadcasts on TSN: https://t.co/wlsHNi1RmT pic.twitter.com/cBhRXPFB3L
RIP Howie Meeker. If you grew up in Canada in the 80s, you’ll understand how influential he was to my generation. Thanks Howie!! @nhl @hockeynight @ Toronto, Ontario https://t.co/ouwfuXKI2X
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) November 8, 2020
Howie Meeker was such a part of hockey here in BC...an incredible impact in and out of the hockey community. #RIP
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) November 8, 2020
Jiminy Cricket
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) November 8, 2020
Golly gee willikers
Stop it right there
He went around him like a hoop around a barrel
Howie Meeker was an innovater.
He changed the color commentator job on TV for hockey for the better.
He was a big part of my childhood.
RIP Howie
I grew up watching Howie Meeker on TV, and was fortunate enough to work with him early in my career at TSN. He was kind, generous, energetic and a joy to be around. Condolences to Leah, his family, and many, many friends. https://t.co/qLQWEUvl90
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) November 8, 2020
Yesterday felt good. Today feels awful. Howie Meeker’s death leaves me with so much to say, and so little ability to find the right words. In this limited space, I’ll try by remembering him as the best of friends during the best times of my life.
— Dave Hodge (@davehodge20) November 8, 2020
It was only a couple of weeks ago I found my old sweater from Howie Meeker Hockey School back in the mid-1970s (I went twice) and today we learn he has passed away at age 97. RIP, Howie, and thanks for the wonderful memories you gave me and so many other kids at your school. pic.twitter.com/DqVK5DTvuF
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 8, 2020
Howie Meeker was the Ned Flanders of hockey. He seemed to approach every day of his hockey life with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning. He was good. pic.twitter.com/vYgyMFpgPm
— Steve Warne (@TSNSteve) November 8, 2020
Bad day all around. First Alex Trebek and now “Golly Gee Wiz” Howie Meeker at 97 has passed. The oldest member of the @MapleLeafs Allumni. Stanley cup Champion. RIP Howie pic.twitter.com/weg953RDMN
— Joe Bowen (@BonsieTweets) November 8, 2020
Howie Meeker has passed away.
— Peter Kelamis (@PeterKelamis) November 8, 2020
A number of years ago I got to play in a celebrity-NHL Charity game. My Coach was Howie Meeker. Hearing Howie yell, “Kelamis, you’re stick is too damn long! You’re missing the puck!” Is something I will never forget. RIP Sir
An image from that day pic.twitter.com/6couEGuyAS
My first brush with fame was when I met Howie Meeker at the Air Canada Cup National Midget Hockey Championship.
— Robert Forbes (@RForbes7) November 8, 2020
He was a an incredible ambassador for the game and a Canadian icon. #RIP pic.twitter.com/rfdc3JY5Oj
Another iconic Canadian. We grew up watching him across Canada in those blue blazers. RIP to the great Howie Meeker. pic.twitter.com/TOy9QcXPqV
— Paul Bae (@MrPaulBae) November 8, 2020
Howie Meeker has passed at 97. The Hockey Night In Canada legend was the oldest living Leaf.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) November 8, 2020
Also sad today, Howie Meeker passed away. 4x Stanley cup champion. The arena I grew up playing minor hockey in was named after him. Parksville represent! pic.twitter.com/PeWkJnlqjH
— xTech (@xTechHockey) November 8, 2020
