You're stuck in traffic on the 401. It’s snowing, obviously. The only thing keeping you from losing your mind is that familiar, gravelly voice erupting through the speakers with a "Holy Mackinaw!"
If you've spent any time in Southern Ontario over the last four decades, the Toronto Maple Leafs radio broadcast isn't just a way to track a hockey game. It’s the soundtrack of winter. But 2026 feels different. It feels heavy. This is the "Last Dance" for Joe Bowen, the man who has narrated more heartbreak and hope than perhaps anyone else in Canadian history.
Honestly, finding the game on the dial can be a bit of a headache if you don’t know the rotation. One night it’s one station, the next night it’s another. Here is the reality of how the broadcast works right now and why this specific season is basically a season-long retirement party for a legend.
Where to Find the Toronto Maple Leafs Radio Broadcast Today
The rights to the Leafs are split. It’s a classic Canadian media tug-of-war between Rogers and Bell. Because of this, the games alternate between Sportsnet 590 The FAN and TSN 1050.
- Sportsnet 590 The FAN (CJCL-AM): They usually handle exactly half the regional slate.
- TSN 1050 (CHUM-AM): They take the other half.
- SiriusXM: If you're driving across the border or up to the cottage where AM signals die, Channel 167 (NHL Network Radio) or the dedicated team channels are your best bet.
Why the split? Money. Also, because both telecommunications giants own a piece of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). It’s a weird marriage, but for us, it just means you have to check your calendar before you tune in.
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The Voices You’re Hearing
Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph. That’s the duo.
Bowen is the play-by-play master. He’s been at this since 1982, back when the Leafs played at the Gardens and Harold Ballard was still making everyone miserable. His partner, Jim Ralph, provides the color. Ralphie is a former goalie with a self-deprecating wit that balances out Bowen’s high-octane energy perfectly.
The Joe Bowen Retirement Tour: Why 2026 Matters
In June 2025, Bowen dropped the bombshell: the 2025-26 season would be his final lap. By the time he hangs up the headset this spring, he’ll have called over 3,800 games. Think about that. That is thousands of nights spent in press boxes from Florida to Vancouver, watching this team try—and often fail—to reach the summit.
The team actually held a massive tribute night for him on December 16, 2025, against the Chicago Blackhawks. Why Chicago? Because that’s who the Leafs were playing back on October 6, 1982, when Joe made his debut. It’s a full-circle moment that has made every Toronto Maple Leafs radio broadcast this year feel a little more sentimental.
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There’s a specific kind of magic to radio hockey. On TV, you see the play develop. On the radio, you have to trust Joe’s cadence. When his voice rises an octave, you know Matthews is crossing the blue line. When he starts screaming, you’re already halfway out of your seat before he even confirms the puck is in the net.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Broadcast
A common misconception is that the radio guys are the same as the TV guys. They aren't. While Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson handle the Sportsnet TV side, and Gord Miller and Mike Johnson often handle TSN's TV coverage, Bowen and Ralph are exclusively radio now.
Years ago, Joe did the TV games too. But the industry shifted. National broadcasts took over the TV rights, and Joe was moved to the radio booth full-time. Some fans were outraged at the time, but in a weird way, it made the radio broadcast a "secret club" for the die-hards. If you want the real, unfiltered passion, you turn down the TV volume and sync up the radio.
Digital Options and App Streaming
If you aren't using an actual radio (who is, really?), you've got a few ways to stream:
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- The TSN and Sportsnet Apps: Both stream their feeds live.
- The NHL App: You can usually find the home and away radio feeds for free here.
- Smart Speakers: Just tell your device to "Play TSN 1050" or "Play Sportsnet 590."
One tiny tip: if you’re trying to sync the radio audio with your TV, it’s going to be out of whack. The digital stream is usually 30 seconds behind the live TV broadcast. To fix this, you sort of have to pause your TV (if you have a PVR) and wait for the radio to catch up. It’s a bit of a science project, but it’s worth it to hear Joe call a playoff goal.
The Future After 2026
What happens when Joe leaves? That’s the $64,000 question. Replacing a legend is impossible. You don't just "replace" the guy who gave us the soundtrack to the 93 run or the Sundin era.
The rumor mill is already churning. Will they go with a younger voice from the Marlies (the Leafs' AHL affiliate)? Or will they bring in a seasoned vet? Whoever it is, they’ll be stepping into a booth haunted by the echoes of "Holy Mackinaw."
Actionable Steps for Leafs Fans
If you want to catch the final months of this era, here is what you need to do:
- Download both the TSN and Sportsnet apps. You'll need both because the broadcast rights switch back and forth constantly.
- Check the schedule on the official Maple Leafs website. They usually list the "Radio" partner next to the game time.
- Get a SiriusXM trial if you're planning a winter road trip. Nothing kills a drive through Northern Ontario like losing the AM signal just as the third period starts.
- Listen to "Leafs Talk" or "OverDrive" after the games. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee usually host the post-game show on the FAN, while the OverDrive crew (Hayes, Noodles, and O-Dog) provides the best entertainment on the TSN side.
This is the end of a 44-year journey. Whether you love the Leafs or love to hate them, there's no denying that the Toronto Maple Leafs radio broadcast is losing its soul after this season. Tune in while you still can.