Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen plans to call it a career after the 2025-2026 season.
The broadcaster, who famously coined the catchphrase “Holy Mackinaw!” says he will have called more than 3,800 games for the Leafs by then.
In a post to social media, the Sudbury native thanked his colleagues and fans for a decades-long career that has spanned both television and radio, more recently.
“You are the most loyal and demonstrative fans on the face of the Earth!! I can not THANK YOU enough!! I sincerely hope that this will be the “One Before I Am Done” Season for the Leafs as they chase that elusive Cup,” the 74-year-old wrote.
Bowen got the job in 1982 after working as the play-by-play announcer for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves and the AHL’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
The Leafs exited the Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round following a Game 7 loss to the reigning champion Florida Panthers. The Leafs haven’t won the Cup since 1967, when Bowen was in his second year of high school.
Sinatra said it best
— Joe Bowen (@Bonsie1951) June 13, 2025
And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend I'll say it clear
I'll state my case of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way!!
THX LEAF NATION! pic.twitter.com/70ogU4BMqX
