Howie Meeker (right) seen alongside Steve Armitage on Hockey Night in Canada. (YouTube)

By rdnewsNOW staff

'keep your stick on the ice'

Hockey broadcasting legend Howie Meeker dead at 97

Nov 8, 2020 | 1:08 PM

NANAIMO — Hockey legend Howie Meeker has died.

According to friend and fellow broadcaster Bernie Pascall, Meeker died Sunday morning at Nanaimo General Hospital. He turned 97 last Wednesday.

The Toronto Maple Leaf was the NHL’s rookie of the year in 1947 and briefly served as a member of parliament from 1951-53, during his playing career.

But the Kitchener, Ontario native gained more fame after his playing career ended, when he transitioned into television broadcasting. He frequently used a telestrator to analyze plays in greater depth.

Meeker spent time with Hockey Night in Canada, as well as BCTV working Vancouver Canucks broadcasts.

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He popularized the phrase ‘Keep your stick on the ice.’

Meeker, who was a resident of the Parksville area on Vancouver Island, was the last surviving member of the Maple Leafs 1947-49 and 1951 Stanley Cup winning teams, as well as the inaugural NHL All-Star Game in October 1947.

He also served in WWII, and was badly injured during his service. Meeker was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 as a broadcaster, and was named to the Order of Canada in 2010.

Meeker was the fastest Leaf to score 25 goals until Auston Matthews came along, and he scored five goals in one game on Jan. 8, 1947.

(With file from James Peters/CFJC Today)