Howie Meeker (born November 4, 1924 in Kitchener, Ontario) is a former right winger in the National Hockey League and television sports announcer as well as a former Conservative Member of Parliament. Meeker missed the 1943 and 1944 seasons while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II, but returned to join the Toronto Maple Leafs where he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as outstanding rookie player for the 1946-47 season. During that remarkable first season he tied the league record of five goals in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 8, 1947. He played in 3 NHL All-Star games during his career of 346 games. He also coached the Maple Leafs, replacing King Clancy on April 11, 1956, leading the Leafs to a 21-34-15 record and became General Manager the following season.
Meeker also spent three years as a Progressive Conservative MP while playing for the Leafs. In June 1951, Meeker won the federal byelection in the Ontario riding of Waterloo South. He did not run again in the 1953 election.
He also ran a hockey school as summer camps in Canada and USA.
Howie was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 in the Broadcasters Category, following a 30 year career on Hockey Night in Canada and TSN.
Preceded by: Edgar Laprade Winner of the Calder Trophy 1947 Succeeded by: Jim McFadden Preceded by: Karl Homuth Member of Parliament from Waterloo South 1951-1953 Succeeded by: Arthur White Preceded by: King Clancy Head Coaches of the Toronto Maple Leafs 1956-1957 Succeeded by: Billy Reay
