Play-by-play commentator Joe Bowen's cemented phrase, 'Holy Mackinaw!' will only be heard around the Toronto Maple Leafs for one more season. The 74-year-old play-by-play commentator, who's only been calling games on the radio for TSN 1050 and Sportsnet's Fan 590 throughout the last several years, has announced that the 2025-26 season will be his last 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." Bowen has been calling Maple Leafs games since 1982, beginning on the radio before moving to Leafs TV. Ralph, a former professional goaltender, joined Bowen when he switched from television in 2014, where he called regional games outside CBC and TSN, to radio. The legendary Toronto broadcaster, who grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, was named the winner of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, recognizing hockey's "distinguished members of the radio and television industry who made outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their career in hockey broadcasting." Report: Maple Leafs Among Possibilities For Panthers’ Brad Marchand In Free Agency [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/42181f70-0bc5-4135-b3bc-e44ca21ec6ed.webp] Report: Maple Leafs Among Possibilities For Panthers’ Brad Marchand In Free Agency The Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly be one of the teams vying for Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's services if he hits the open market on July 1st. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-maple-leafs-among-possibilities-for-panthers-brad-marchand-in-free-agency] Throughout the last two summers, there have been questions about whether the two would return to the microphone. "A terribly disappointing ending to a great season. We look forward to next year but I admit I’m running out of opportunities. Enjoy your summer," Bowen posted to X in May last year, before confirming his return [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/were-not-going-anywhere-joe-bowen-and-jim-ralph-to-return-as-radio-voice-of-maple-leafs-for-another-season] two months later. The Maple Leafs have made it to the playoffs in nine straight seasons, going out in the second round to the Florida Panthers in seven games this past spring. Bowen, who's called over 3,700 games already, hopes that his final year behind the microphone will be the one where Toronto wins it all. "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!" Data Suggests Veterans Outperform in NHL Playoffs—Should the Maple Leafs Follow the Trend? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7b0a5c2d-7e19-4dbe-96c1-d463bf0e3d80.webp] Data Suggests Veterans Outperform in NHL Playoffs—Should the Maple Leafs Follow the Trend? The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has served as a stark reminder: experience, that intangible quality often dismissed for youthful exuberance, can be a decisive weapon in the grind of playoff hockey. From Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's tenacious performance to 40-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry, veteran players are not just participating—they're driving their teams. This raises a critical question for NHL general managers, particularly those like the Toronto Maple Leafs—perpetually searching for the missing piece: Should teams pay a premium for veteran players, banking on their experience to translate into playoff success? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/data-suggests-veterans-outperform-in-nhl-playoffs-should-the-maple-leafs-follow-the-trend]
