Maple Leafs Legend Joe Bowen Announces Retirement Plans

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 10:45 AM ET

Legendary Leafs announcer Joe Bowen is coming back next season, but that will be it afterward, as he announced he will retire at the conclusion of the campaign.

Veteran Toronto Maple Leafs play-by-play announcer Joe Bowen will be behind the microphone for his final season in 2025-26.

The 74-year-old broadcaster, renowned for his catch phrase 'Holy Mackinaw!', confirmed that next season will be his final one behind the microphone.

'After 44 Years of being the Voice of your Toronto Maple Leafs, I have decided that the 2025-26 Season will be my last behind the microphone. I have been totally blessed to be able to do 'My Dream Job' for this long, eclipsing the career of my idol Foster Hewitt,' Bowen posted to X on Friday morning.
'I will reach over 3800 games some time this season. Thanks so very much to all who have made this wonderful career possible! Len Bramson and Telemedia Sports for giving a Sudbury native the chance of a lifetime and all who have followed at MLSE and various radio stations who allowed me to continue in this dream job. I have worked with the absolute best at my side in the booth, Harry Neale for 12 seasons, but none better than my partner of 28 years, Jim Ralph.'

'Most of all, thank you to the loyal group know as Leaf Nation, for allowing me to invade your vehicle, family room and hearts over these wonderful years! Your support, and interaction has been what has made this 'job' so wonderful! You are the most loyal and demonstrative fans on the face of the earth!! I can not THANK YOU enough!!!' Bowen added.

'I sincerely hope that this will be the 'One Before I Am Done' Season for the Leafs as they chase that elusive Cup!'

Bowen spent the previous years calling games exclusively on the radio for both TSN 1050 and Sportsnet's Fan 590.

Bowen has been calling Leafs games since 1982

Bowen began his play-by-play with the Maple Leafs in 1982, first on the radio and eventually on television with broadcasts of the Leafs.

He returned to the radio full-time in 2014 with colour commentator Jim Ralph, a retired pro goalie. The duo has been a staple of Leafs radio broadcasts ever since.

A Sudbury, Ontario, native, Bowen is a highly popular Canadian hockey play-by-play announcer.

For his efforts on behalf of the sport, he was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, one of the sport's most prestigious awards for media professionals.

Previous offseasons have seen rumors about whether Ralph and Bowen would be back, but this season, the veteran play-by-play man is officially on board.

Having worked over 3,700 games behind the microphone, Bowen dreams of a fairy tale ending: Toronto winning a Stanley Cup.

The Leafs have made the playoffs nine consecutive years, but, other than 2002, have not made it past the second round. They were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in seven games this spring.

Bowen, like everyone else, is praying his last call leads to a championship triumph.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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