TORONTO

Checking centre Johnny McCormack, a member of the 1951 Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup champions and once demoted by manager Conn Smythe for getting married during the season, died Wednesday night in Oshawa at age 91.

The Edmonton-born McCormack won a Memorial Cup with Toronto St. Michael’s College in 1945 and was promoted to the Leafs in 1947-48 to replace injured star Syl Apps. Given the nickname Goose for his long neck, he became a semi-regular beginning in 1949-50 and was part of the ‘51 title team, the ‘Bill Barilko’ Cup.

But the following season, circumstances compelled him to get married before the regular season ended. That situation was frowned upon by Smythe, who sent McCormack to the Pittsburgh Hornets as punishment and later sold him to Montreal. McCormack won his second Cup with the Habs in 1953 and later played a year in Chicago to round out 311 NHL games. He was known for a sweeping poke check.

He later worked in the steel business in Whitby and was prominent in a monthly luncheon of long retired Leafs and NHL alumni.

McCormack is survived by sons Peter, Matthew and Daniel.

LHornby@postmedia.com