My Leafs’ fandom can be boiled down to two key moments.

1. On November 29, 2000, I attended my first Toronto Maple Leafs game in person. At the time, I had never watched hockey and attended because I thought it would be cool, as I love sports in general. Toronto blew a 5-0, third-period lead and lost 6-5 in overtime at home against the St. Louis Blues.

2. Somehow, despite that epic loss, I fell in love with hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Maybe secretly I’m a sports masochist.
Watching games back in the UK was nigh-on impossible. If memory serves correctly, a good friend in Canada alerted me to the fact that I could listen to games via online radio. The first voice I heard on AM640 was that of Joe Bowen. Thanks to Joe, I was not only highly entertained but at times educated about a sport I found (or maybe it found me) by pure chance.

That he announced on June 13, 2025, that the 2025-26 season will be his last calling Toronto Maple Leafs games leaves me feeling sad but thankful for the memories.

Sinatra said it best
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

— Joe Bowen (@Bonsie1951) June 13, 2025

Bowen has a unique way of connecting with his audience with his passion, humour, and quick wit as sharp now as ever. Perhaps without his infectious passion, my hockey fandom and eventually travelling every season to watch games might never have happened.

For 25 years he’s been an integral part of my life. When you consider we separated by a large body of water and over 3500 miles, it’s highly unusual!

In general, Bowen is adored by Leafs Nation, and you only have to check the comments on social media in response to his retirement announcement.
He is one of us, and we live vicariously through him.

I always enjoyed listening to ‘homer’ commentators and calls but Bowen achieved more than that in his career. He calls a fair game and is gracious to opponents when necessary, something his peers have not always been able to achieve.

There hasn’t been much to cheer about for Leafs fans or Joe Bowen in the last 25 years but there have been some memorable and enjoyable calls regardless.

With Joe Bowens announcement of retirement, I wanted to highlight why he’s one of my favourite announcers. When we say bring the passion, this is what we mean, nearly losing his voice for every goal and big moment in the game. This is 1 of just MANY favourite moments pic.twitter.com/IUVWuEPphJ

— Sports (Do) Matter (@Woll4Vezina) June 13, 2025

"THEY'RE GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND!"

GAME 6 OT WINNER courtesy of Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph. #LeafsForever @BonsieTweets @Jim_Ralph

29/4/2023 pic.twitter.com/n3vOXDIgIh

— LeafsJellyHD (@LeafsJelly) April 30, 2023

They say never meet your heroes. For the most part, it holds some truth. Not with Joe Bowen.
I don’t recall the year, but I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Joe before a Maple Leafs game in the 2000’s. He was attentive, kind, and excited to meet another crazy fan and hear my story.

Regardless of whether Joe gets to read this, I would like to say thank you to the ‘Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs.’

My journey with this team (painful as that has been) wouldn’t have been the same without you and won’t be the same after this season.

I hope and pray that you’ll get to shout “Holy Mackinaw, the Toronto Maple Leafs are Stanley Cup Champions!” on your final broadcast.

It would be a fitting tribute to an incredible career spanning over 3800 games.