The Maple Leafs made long-term commitments to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Is it enough to remake the look and feel of Toronto's defense? Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph will be back as the radio voice of the Maple Leafs for next season. The 73-year-old play-by-play commentator, who's called Maple Leafs games since 1982, confirmed the news Friday morning on X, saying: "Not going anywhere!!! Ralphie and I are back in October!!" Bowen and Ralph have called Toronto's hockey games together since 2014 when Bowen shifted from television — calling regionally televised games outside of CBC and TSN — to audio. Ralph played professional hockey but became a broadcaster after suffering a knee injury. The pair call games on the radio with TSN and Sportsnet during the regular season and playoffs (Bell and Rogers split the 82-game regular season radio schedule evenly). Bowen and Ralph didn't travel with the Maple Leafs in the regular season but did during the first round of the Stanley Cup postseason against the Boston Bruins. They didn't travel during last year's playoffs until Toronto reached the second round against the Florida Panthers. "Thanks to all of the Leaf fans who chose to listen to Jim Ralph and myself on the Maple Leafs radio network this season," Bowen posted to X after Toronto was eliminated by Boston in May. "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." Similar questions [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/reports-are-joe-bowen-and-jim-ralph-returning-to-the-maple-leafs-radio-booth-next-season] about whether Bowen and Ralph would return were asked last summer after Toronto's play-by-play man confirmed he was unsure if the two would return for another season. "Well partner, 41 years of doing this, 3550 games, if this is the end of the line, it's been a hell of a run for us. I've enjoyed every moment of it," Bowen said after the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Panthers in May 2023. "Hopefully, we'll be back next year. But we're not sure of that yet." This upcoming season will be the 10th that Bowen and Ralph have called games together. This is amazing news for two people who have covered the Maple Leafs for as long as they have. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Rank 8th in NHL With a ‘B’ Grade on The Athletic’s Contract Efficiency List [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-rank-8th-in-nhl-with-a-b-grade-on-the-athletics-contract-efficiency-list] Maple Leafs' Max Domi Showcasing Off-Season Speed Work in Latest Instagram Post From Performance Coach [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-max-domi-showcasing-off-season-speed-work-in-latest-instagram-post-from-performance-coach] Report: Cliff Fletcher to Return in His Role as Maple Leafs Senior Advisor This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-cliff-fletcher-to-return-in-his-role-as-maple-leafs-senior-advisor-this-season] News from THN.com What's Next Once Hurricanes Winger Martin Necas Gets His New Contract? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/whats-next-once-hurricanes-winger-martin-necas-gets-his-new-contract] 'He’s All Business': Thatcher Demko's Emergence as Elite NHL Goalie Was No Surprise [https://thehockeynews.com/news/hes-all-business-canucks-thatcher-demkos-emergence-as-elite-nhl-goalie-was-no-surprise] Fantilli's Rookie NHL Season Marred By Injury, But Blue Jackets Center Still Central To Columbus' Blueprint For Success [https://thehockeynews.com/news/fantillis-rookie-nhl-season-marred-by-injury-but-blue-jackets-center-still-central-to-columbus-blueprint-for-success]
