Maple Leafs surprise legendary commentator Joe Bowen with two special gifts
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs/X
The Leafs honored legendary longtime broadcaster Joe Bowen with some special gifts for his final season as the team celebrates him on Tuesday night.
Joe Bowen, the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs since 1982, announced his retirement after his 44th season in the role commentating Leafs games, one of Toronto's biggest voices in their history.
The Toronto Maple Leafs presented a tribute to the Hall of Fame announcer, honoring him with a special token of appreciation from Leafs GM Brad Treliving.
Treliving noted that Chicago was the first team in which Bowen commentated an NHL game against, back on October 6th, 1982.
A lot's changed in 44 years. So it's a big, big night guys. Joe's synonymous with the franchise. I mean, he's been the soundtrack of this team for longer than most anybody in this room has been alive, so the significance here tonight, guys, is Joe's first game was against Chicago.
Here's the game sheet from his first ever game that he called. Guy who's on the mic all the time, probably gotta have a golden mic, so there it is. - Brad Treliving
Here's the game sheet from his first ever game that he called. Guy who's on the mic all the time, probably gotta have a golden mic, so there it is. - Brad Treliving
Along with a golden mic, Bowen, along with his family, was honored with a vacation to view Bowen's favorite collegiate football team, Notre Dame, in action Sept. 6th against Wisconsin, the start of the team's 2026 season.
Joe Bowen speaks on being honored by Leafs, journey to his broadcasting end
Joe Bowen expressed disbelief at being in the Leafs locker room, reminiscing on his youth as a goaltender prior to his broadcasting career.
This is unbelievable. I thank you guys. I dreamt about being in this room, but I was, uh, informed early in my career that I wasn't going to make it.
In fact, the headline read, «High is mighty low after hockey defeat», said Brian Dickey, «he lost his glasses, Bob Schultz lost a contact lens, but in the end it was rookie goaltender Joe Bowen who had trouble seeing." - Joe Bowen
In fact, the headline read, «High is mighty low after hockey defeat», said Brian Dickey, «he lost his glasses, Bob Schultz lost a contact lens, but in the end it was rookie goaltender Joe Bowen who had trouble seeing." - Joe Bowen
Bowen called the moment a "dream come true" reminiscing over his childhood watching the Leafs, including the familial origin of his famed "Holy Mackinaw" catchphrase.
Getting here, 44 years ago, was a dream come true. And it is the organization that I grew up loving.
I've told this story many times, but my dad and I, watching Johnny Bower, our hero would blurt out «Holy Mackinaw», and I never used it until about five years into the NHL.
Felix Potvin made a tremendous save, and I blurted it out and Bill Watters, who was doing color with me, I looked at him, and he'd fallen off his chair, he was laughing, so I thought I'd better use it again, so I have.
I've told this story many times, but my dad and I, watching Johnny Bower, our hero would blurt out «Holy Mackinaw», and I never used it until about five years into the NHL.
Felix Potvin made a tremendous save, and I blurted it out and Bill Watters, who was doing color with me, I looked at him, and he'd fallen off his chair, he was laughing, so I thought I'd better use it again, so I have.
Bowen will retire at the end of the Leafs 2025-26 NHL season, to which a replacement host hasn't been named, although one name who has emerged as a possible option is Bowen's son, Nick, who is also a commentator.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 1414 ANSWERS Maple Leafs surprise legendary commentator Joe Bowen with two special gifts Is Joe Bowen an essential part of Leafs history? | ||
| Yes | 1279 | 90.5 % |
| No | 135 | 9.5 % |
| List of polls | ||