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Maple Leafs Reveal Updates for ‘Holy Mackinaw Night’
The Toronto Maple Leafs are planning a special night as they announced new updates on their upcoming Holy Mackinaw Night. They will be honoring longtime play-by-play announcer Joe Bowen, who will retire at the end of the NHL season. The special night is scheduled for Dec. 16, when the Leafs take on the Chicago Blackhawks at Scotiabank Arena.
Bowen has been the voice of the Leafs for four decades, having called over 3000 games. He is beloved by fans, making the night a true celebration of his incredible career.
Bowen’s popular phrase, ‘Holy Mackinaw!’ has been a fixture in Leafs broadcasts. It can be heard during some of the biggest goals and moments in franchise history. The Leafs are also using the phrase for commemorative items and food options for the game.
Fans will be able to purchase special limited-edition ‘Holy Mackinaw’ Bowen tribute shirts, with proceeds donated to SickKids Foundation. There will also be a Bowen-inspired food selection at the arena that night.
Real Sports Bar & Grill‘s Holy Mack N’ Cheesenaw! will be available for purchase at the arena for a limited time. For beverages, Quick Service Bars will be selling Bowen’s signature Holy Mackinaw Rye and Gingers cocktail.
Fans that aren’t at Scotiabank Arena will be able to enjoy digital content. Bowen will appear on the Walk-in Talk with Ryan Leslie on the Leafs’ social media channels prior to the game. Finally, there will be a pre-game tribute and ceremonial puck drop featuring Bowen and his family.
Maple Leafs General Manager Praises Joe Bowen
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving praised Joe Bowen ahead of the team’s Holy Mackinaw Night celebration. He promised that the Leafs will deliver a fitting tribute to their longtime announcer.
Treliving expressed gratitude toward Bowen for his decades of dedication to the Leafs. He noted that although the legendary announcer will be celebrated throughout the season, Dec. 16 will be a particularly special night.
“Nobody represents the passion of Leafs Nation better than Joe Bowen, and his signature voice has been the soundtrack for so many iconic moments for the team over the past 44 years,” Treliving said in a news release. “We look forward to celebrating Joe all season but especially making Dec. 16 a very special tribute to the man known as the ‘voice of the Maple Leafs.’”
Bowen Reacts to Leafs’ Special Plans for Holy Mackinaw Night
Bowen also shared his thoughts on the Leafs’ plans for Holy Mackinaw Night and the franchise celebrating his career.
One reason Bowen has become so beloved by Leafs Nation is that, like them, he is a diehard fan. He expressed his love for the organization and feels Holy Mackinaw Night will be an unforgettable experience.
“Over the many years I have become huge fans of a number of sports teams: the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the Toronto Argos, and the Green Bay Packers, of which I am an owner,” Bowen said in a news release.
He continued:
“There is only one team that I love, and that has always been the Toronto Maple Leafs. First as a fan and fortunately over the last 44 years as a broadcaster. Dec. 16’s tribute will be as big a night as the arrival of my four sons and three grandchildren.”
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and York United FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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