Joe Bowen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Bowen
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Joe Bowen speaking at a Sick Kids Charity event in 2019.
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| Born | April 5, 1951 |
| Sports commentary career | |
| Team(s) | Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1979–1982) Toronto Maple Leafs (1982–present) |
| Genre(s) | play-by-play (television and radio) |
| Sports | ice hockey |
Joe Bowen is a famous Canadian sportscaster born on April 5, 1951. Many people know him as "The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs". He has broadcast over 3,000 games for the Leafs! Joe Bowen is currently the radio play-by-play announcer for the team. You can hear him on Sportsnet 590 The Fan or TSN Radio 1050 alongside Jim Ralph.
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Joe Bowen's Early Life
Joe Bowen was born and grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. When he was in high school, he played on a championship hockey team called the Copper Cliff Redmen in 1967. After high school, he went to the University of Windsor. He studied communications arts there. This helped him get ready for a career in broadcasting. While at the university, Joe covered sports for the campus radio station, CJAM-FM. His family has roots in County Cork, Ireland, through his grandfather.
Joe Bowen's Broadcasting Career
After finishing university, Joe Bowen went back to Sudbury. He started his radio career covering the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Sudbury Wolves. He was also the Sports Director at radio station CKSO. He worked with the Wolves for five years.
Moving to Halifax and the Maple Leafs
In 1979, Joe moved to Halifax. There, he announced games for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. He also worked as a sports director for two radio stations. While in Halifax, he got a big chance! Len Bramson offered him an audition to become the play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is a team in the National Hockey League.
Joe Bowen got the job! He replaced Ron Hewat and became the fifth radio play-by-play announcer for the Maple Leafs. His first game for the Leafs was on October 6, 1982, at the Chicago Stadium. In 1983, he joined CJCL and became their morning sports anchor. He also continued as the radio voice of the Leafs.
Changes in Broadcasting Roles
Joe Bowen stayed a key part of the Leafs' broadcasting team through the 1990s. In 1995, the Telemedia Sports Network lost the rights to air Leafs games on the radio. Another station, Q107, won the rights. Q107 wanted a full-time announcer for all 82 regular-season games and playoffs. This meant Joe had to choose between radio and TV. He decided to join Q107. Because he was only on radio, his former TV partner, Gord Stellick, teamed up with Mark Hebscher.
In 1997, Joe started calling 35 mid-week TV broadcasts for the Leafs. These were on Global and ONtv. He still kept his radio job with Q107. In March 2000, Joe received a special gift. It was a gold seat from the Leafs' old home, Maple Leaf Gardens. This was to thank him for his long support of the team.
Calling Lacrosse and Hockey Milestones
Joe Bowen also announced games for the NLL's Toronto Rock. He started with them in 1999, their first season in Toronto. He even called their championship games from 1999 to 2002. He stopped calling Rock games after the 2007 season.
Until 2014, Joe called Leafs games on television. This was when games were shown regionally, not on CBC or TSN. After Rogers got the national rights to the NHL, Joe moved permanently to radio. Other announcers took over the TV duties. On March 7, 2017, Joe Bowen called his 3,000th game as the Voice of the Leafs. The Leafs won that game 3-2 against the Detroit Red Wings.
Retirement Announcement
On June 13, 2025, Joe Bowen shared his plans to retire. He announced on social media that he would retire after the 2025-2026 season. He said he felt "totally blessed" to have his "Dream Job." He also mentioned that he would reach over 3,800 games during the upcoming season. He thanked everyone who made his amazing career possible.
Joe Bowen's Famous Catchphrase
Joe Bowen has a very famous catchphrase: "Holy Mackinaw!" He usually says this when an amazing goal is scored or a big save is made in a hockey game. Some people think the phrase came from a California cheer. However, Joe says he learned it from his dad. His dad would say "Holy Mackinaw" instead of using bad words.
Beyond Broadcasting
Joe Bowen has also appeared in a TV commercial for Harvey's. He promoted their Angus Burger and used his famous "Holy Mackinaw!" catchphrase. He was also a radio announcer in the 1986 film Youngblood.
In June 2018, the Hockey Hall of Fame honored Joe Bowen. He won the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. This award celebrates people who have made great contributions as hockey broadcasters.
