Barons Set To Induct Three Into Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring Of Honor
February 25, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
CLEVELAND âThe Cleveland Barons announced today that the second class of the Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring of Honor will include Johnny Bower, Bob Whidden, and Phil Simon. Michael T. Lehr, President of the Cleveland Barons, made the announcement.
The trio will be inducted to the Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring of Honor prior to the game on Saturday, March 5th at 7pm on the National City Rink located in Gund Arena. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Garrett Stafford Bobblehead.
Johnny Bower, 80, wrote the AHL goaltending record books in his 9 seasons with the original Cleveland Barons. Holding the AHL record with 359 regular season wins, 284 of his victories came in Barons Blue. Bower became known for the goose-egg as his 45 shutouts are still an AHL record as well as his streak of 249:51 that stands as the league's longest shutout streak. Bower won the Les Cunningham Award, given to the AHL's Most Valuable Player, twice with the Barons and once with the Providence Reds.
Phil Simon, 71, is being inducted for his 55 years of service to Cleveland Hockey. He sank his teeth into Cleveland Hockey during the 1950-51 season with the original Barons. Simon became the visiting team's stick boy and has since served several roles including goal judge and his current position as Assistant Equipment Manager. Simon has served a role at some capacity with the original, NHL, and current versions of the Barons, the Crusaders (WHL), and the Lumberjacks (IHL).
Bob Whidden, 58, was a goaltender for the Crusaders (WHL) for their four seasons in Cleveland. Whidden's mark on Cleveland hockey is much deeper than his time on the ice. Remaining in the city, Whidden took the role of Head Coach for the St. Edward Eagles in 1984 where he has won nine state titles and taken the team to the Ohio Class AAA Hockey Finals 15 times. Whidden is also credited as being a main cog in bringing the Lumberjacks from Muskegon to Cleveland.
"Johnny Bower was the greatest goaltender of his era and basically wrote the record books for goaltending," stated Lehr. "Being inducted into the Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring of Honor transcends on-ice accomplishments and Bob Whidden and Phil Simon are perfect examples. They have dedicated their lives to building hockey in Cleveland."
Barons tickets can be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the Gund Arena Box Office, and charge-by-phone by calling 216-241-5555. More information about the Barons is available by calling 216-420-0000 or by Crashing The Net at www.clevelandbarons.net.
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