It wasn’t the ending to veteran Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen’s career that anybody wanted, but fans and players showered him in love as he gets set to hang up the headset after calling his final game in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Max Domi, who has known Bowen for a long time going back to his father’s days with the Maple Leafs and now in his time as a Leaf, said that it was incredible to see the reception Bowen got from the fans as he was honoured during his final home game.

“He’s the man,” Domi told reporters. “I’m really happy for him and his family, what a career. One of the first people that comes to mind when you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s unfortunate that this is the year he had to go out on. But I wish him the best. Absolutely love Joe.”

Bowen has called nearly 4000 NHL games between television and radio, and his signature ‘HOLY MACKINAW!’ will be entrenched in Maple Leafs lore for years to come. Domi was asked if he had a favourite memory of Bowen, to which he simply discussed the privilege of knowing him.

“My whole life I’ve known Joe, had a nice chat with him this morning which was pretty cool,” Domi continued. “It’s great to see him up top there, getting emotional like that. Obviously this fanbase loves him, we all love him as players and we’re very lucky to play in games that he calls.”

The Maple Leafs will wrap up their lost 2025-26 season with a tilt against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday before heading into an offseason full of questions, and for the first time since the early 1980s, the start of next season won’t feature Joe Bowen. It’s going to be a tough adjustment for fans, and Domi acknowledged that he’ll miss hearing Bowen’s voice on the air.

“He’s just an unbelievable human being. So, we’re going to miss him a lot, but really happy for him.”

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