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Joe Bowen
Longtime Maple Leaf broadcaster Joe Bowen has announced he is retiring.
Bonesy has called more than 3 thousand Leaf games
He's 74
The 25-26 season will be his last
Last edited by unclefester (June 13, 2025 8:19 am)
- RadioActive
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Re: Joe Bowen
Here's his official announcement on Twitter/X. (Although I'm not sure it was wise to put in stationery that displays his cell phone number!)
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Re: Joe Bowen
Now that it's official, the next question is: who will replace Bowen? After 44 years, that's not going to be an easy decision. Will it be someone currently calling games for an OHL team? Another professional NHL announcer working for another team they hire away? Or someone totally out of left field?
I have an out-of-the-box guess, without admittedly knowing much about this guy. But maybe Joe Bowen's own son could take his dad's place in the booth. He's already doing some minor league games, and the publicity of replacing a dad with his offspring would be a publicity bonanza. (Or, perhaps, Bowen-anza.)
It's happened before, of course. Ben Shulman is now doing the radio version of the Jays games, while dad Dan does his thing on TV.
- torontostan
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Re: Joe Bowen
RadioActive wrote:
Now that it's official, the next question is: who will replace Bowen?
The frontrunner is: nobody. I'd bet money on it....
- RadioAaron
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Re: Joe Bowen
Now that it's official, the next question is: who will replace Bowen?
The frontrunner is: nobody. I'd bet money on it....
Cynically agree.
Though I said that about the Jays and was happily wrong.
- Muffaraw Joe
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If Joe's son takes over, how will he mesh with Jim Ralph, would they need a fresh new team?
It is really amazing that Joe has been at this for over 40 years. I remember working with Telemedia radio in Midland in the late 80's and Joe Bowen was doing play-by-play then, what an amazing career.
The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
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Re: Joe Bowen
Now that it's official, the next question is: who will replace Bowen? After 44 years, that's not going to be an easy decision. Will it be someone currently calling games for an OHL team? Another professional NHL announcer working for another team they hire away? Or someone totally out of left field?
I have an out-of-the-box guess, without admittedly knowing much about this guy. But maybe Joe Bowen's own son could take his dad's place in the booth. He's already doing some minor league games, and the publicity of replacing a dad with his offspring would be a publicity bonanza. (Or, perhaps, Bowen-anza.)
It's happened before, of course. Ben Shulman is now doing the radio version of the Jays games, while dad Dan does his thing on TV.
I guess I wasn't the only one wondering about this...
Holy Mackinaw! Could The Maple Leafs Hand Joe Bowen's Mic To His Son, David?
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Here's a story I'm betting most of us have never heard.
Joe Bowen started his Maple Leafs career with a 'f*** you'
- RadioActive
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Re: Joe Bowen
Where did the soon-to-retire Joe Bowen get his "Holy Mackinaw" phrase? He came by it honestly.
"Swearing, or a lack of it, is what gave Bowen his signature catchphrase as a broadcaster. His now-famous “Holy Mackinaw” saying, to describe big moments in games like only Bowen can, was borrowed from his dad, who used it in place of swear words."
Joe Bowen reflects on legendary career, looks forward to final season
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While it appears Joe Bowen will not get his last wish - that the Leafs win the Cup in his last season before retirement (they may not even make the playoffs) - the Hockey News looks back at some of his most famous calls in his 40+ years behind the mic.
Holy Mackinaw: The Best Calls Of Joe Bowen’s Maple Leafs Broadcasting Career
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While it appears Joe Bowen will not get his last wish - that the Leafs win the Cup in his last season before retirement (they may not even make the playoffs) - the Hockey News looks back at some of his most famous calls in his 40+ years behind the mic.
Holy Mackinaw: The Best Calls Of Joe Bowen’s Maple Leafs Broadcasting Career
Say what you want about the Leafs dismal performance this year, at least they're not this! It has to be some kind of record.
Ontario Jr. B hockey team finishes 0-50 — without recording a single point