Maple Leaf For A Game; Bill Johansen

 


I am currently reading the book, "Voices in Blue and White" by the fantastic author Kevin Shea. He chronicles the 'pride and passion for the Maple Leafs' in interviews with literally hundreds of players. Most are quick little stories, like this one about Bill Johansen ('Red' Johnson) talking about his one and only Maple Leaf appearance; "I was playing centre for the Marlie Seniors. One Saturday night, they called me up to the Leafs because Ted Kennedy had gotten hurt. (On November 26, 1949), I played between Bill Ezinicki and Harry Watson. I thought we did pretty well, but we got beat by Boston, 3-0. The team was getting dressed to make a train to Chicago when Mr. Smythe walked into the room, pointed at me and said to the others, "How can you let a young kid like this skate rings around you?"I figured this meant I would be going with them, that I had made the team, so I was really excited. Then coach Hap Day came over and told me I wouldn't be going."

Indeed, Johansen would be sent back to the Marlie Seniors. Jim Vipond, Globe and Mail reported on the game in which he appeared and had some good words about Johnson if not his veteran teammates; "Leafs brought up Red Johnson from Marlboro seniors and put him at centre between Bill Ezinicki and Harry Watson. And what a load that youngster had to carry. Neither of his experienced major league linemates gave him any help. Ezinicki has apparently forgotten how to bodycheck. On at least six occasions Saturday night he skated up to a puck carrier and meekly poke-checked or shuffled around instead of using his body as only he can. And with Ezinicki not hitting, the rest of the team appeared to skate back and let the Bruins claw them at will. Both Ezinicki and Watson are among the league's top players, yet they played Saturday night as though they were enjoying furlough until Cal Gardner's broken jaw heals. If so, hurry up and get better Cal, before it's too late. Give Johnson, Ted Kennedy, Jim Thomson and Fleming Mackell points for trying, but that was about it for the Leafs." 

SoJohnansen was correct in remembering that he himself played well although he got the final score wrong as the Leafs managed a 3-3 tie with Boston. Upon his return to the Marlies two days later, he produced two assists and continued his solid play for the rest of the season. The Marlies would win the Allan Cup in 49/50 with Johansen ending up with 55 points in 41 games while skating alongside past and future NHLers George Armstrong, Danny Lewicki, Hugh Bolton, Bob Hassard, Larry Regan and Flash Hollett. Johansen turned pro in 1951 with Ottawa of the Quebec League and played everywhere from the AHL, Western League and the Eastern League before returning to Senior hockey in 1965.

Nov 26, 1949 Johansen's One NHL Game

Nov. 28, 1949 Return to Marlie Seniors





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