Today in history: May 7

A couple of happy birthday wishes on Today in History:

Bob Bowness: One of the major keys to the Chiefs' successful two-year run that led them to the Turner Cup Finals twice and the championship once from 1956-58. Bowness teamed with Pierre Brillant and Marc Boileau to form the "Killer B" line that was one of the IHL's highest-scoring in those days. In 124 games as a Chief over those two seasons, Bowness tallied 45 goals and 80 assists. He would be a career minor/senior league player, but was a key part of the Chiefs for those two seasons, and was the team's third-leading scorer -- behind his two linemates -- each year in Indy. A native of Verdun, Quebec, he was born in 1928.
Ron Kennedy: Former Islanders fifth-round pick who returned from a four-season stint in Europe to play seven games at right wing for the Checkers in their final CHL season of 1983-84.  He was scoreless, but drew seven PIMs in that stretch. A native of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he is 58.
Mike Nepi: Defenseman who joined the Checkers out of Michigan Tech in 1985 and anchored the team for two years, playing 149 games in the orange, white and blue from 1985-87. He tallied 14 goals, 45 assists and 306 PIMs in those games. He also had seven postseason assists in 1986. He would end his pro hockey career -- other than a one-game stint in the Colonial league 10 years after his pro debut. A native of Detroit, he is 48.