The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Joe Bowen

**Posted by unclefester** June 13, 2025 8:09 am

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)

**Posted by RadioActive** June 13, 2025 9:41 am

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!)

**Posted by RadioActive** June 13, 2025 9:51 am

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.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** June 13, 2025 9:58 am

RadioActive wrote:
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.)

Sports has a history of father-son broadcast combos. And it's been done before here so it could happen again.

That aside, I won't be surprised if they go with Sportsnet audio.

**Posted by torontostan** June 13, 2025 11:46 am

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....

**Posted by Glen Warren** June 13, 2025 11:52 am

What about Clint "Bubba" O'Neil from CHCH fame?

**Posted by Easily Amused** June 13, 2025 12:01 pm

A moot point, since after the NHL denies Atlanta its third (richly deserved 🙄) expansion franchise, nefarious agents will have the Leafs relocate to Atlanta.

(Don't worry...they'll relocate to Saskatoon after 3 years.)

Last edited by Easily Amused (June 13, 2025 12:03 pm)

**Posted by RadioAaron** June 13, 2025 12:07 pm

torontostan wrote:
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....

Cynically agree.

Though I said that about the Jays and was happily wrong.

**Posted by Muffaraw Joe** June 13, 2025 6:49 pm

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.

**Posted by RadioActive** June 13, 2025 8:08 pm

RadioActive wrote:
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?

**Posted by RadioActive** June 13, 2025 8:14 pm

Here's a story I'm betting most of us have never heard.

Joe Bowen started his Maple Leafs career with a 'f*** you'

**Posted by RadioActive** July 4, 2025 11:35 am

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