The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it official: Todd Crocker will take over as the club’s play-by-play radio voice for the 2026-27 season, stepping into the job held for 44 years by Joe Bowen.
Bowen’s run behind the mic ended after a legendary stretch that was marked by a celebration of his career and legacy. Once that chapter closed, the obvious question became who would follow one of the most recognizable voices in Maple Leafs history. Toronto had been linked with possible options, including Bowen’s son David, but the team has now confirmed Crocker as the choice.
Crocker is moving up from his role as play-by-play broadcaster for the Toronto Marlies. Toronto said it promoted him into the Maple Leafs position, giving him the biggest broadcast assignment of his career. The Marlies also said goodbye to him on X after the announcement.
His path to this point has been a long one. Crocker has been with the Marlies since the 2013-14 season, and before that he spent 16 years as a broadcaster for Hamilton Bulldogs broadcasts.
Bowen, for his part, made it clear he backs the move. He offered strong support for Crocker as the next man up and noted that his son David had also put his name forward.
Bowen added: "Todd has been at it a long time. My son David threw his name in the ring, too.
However, if Todd is the choice, he will get to work with the absolute best partner in Ralphie."
There’s no pretending this will sound the same. Bowen’s call was part of the fabric of Maple Leafs broadcasts, and his signature "Holy Mackinaw's" will be tough to replace. But Crocker arrives with energy, passion, and knowledge, and those traits were on display when the Marlies won the Calder Cup, when he went wild like a fan.
He won’t be asked to recreate Bowen’s legacy. That’s not realistic. What Crocker can do is build his own, with Jim Ralph - referred to by Bowen as "Ralphie" - alongside him to give listeners a familiar presence.
For the Maple Leafs, this is the start of a new broadcast era. And for Crocker, it’s a chance to become the voice a new generation of fans grows up hearing.
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