Mitch Marner did not leave Toronto without acknowledging the Maple Leafs‘ longtime voice, Joe Bowen. After his first game in Toronto since his departure, Marner praised Bowen for what he has meant to the organization.
Marner was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area and grew up supporting his hometown Maple Leafs. Bowen, the Leafs’ play-by-announcer, is closing in on the final months of his legendary career. He has called Leafs games since 1982, including every game during Marner’s tenure with the team.
Following the Vegas Golden Knights‘ 6-3 win over the Leafs, Marner expressed his gratitude toward Bowen. He said that the Leafs broadcaster shaped many of his earliest memories of the team.
Marner also explained having Bowen calling his goals was special, given he grew up listening to him.
“I was trying to give a point there to [Bowen after my video tribute]. Obviously, he’s meant a lot to Leafs Nation through his time,” Marner told reporters during his post-game media scrum. “I didn’t get to say it this morning, but just listening to his calls and being a part of his calls, it was a special feeling, and what a legend.”
He added:
“I was trying to give a quick hand. Don’t know if he saw it or not but I tried to give my love back and then get back into the game.”
Joe Bowen Reacts to Mitch Marner Acknowledging Him After Maple Leafs Tribute
Joe Bowen shared his reaction to Mitch Marner’s kind gesture following the Maple Leafs video tribute.
Bowen, 74, has been a staple of the Leafs organization and is beloved by the fanbase. Many Leafs players who grew up in the Toronto area have shared what he meant to their childhood and fandom. Among them is Marner, who ended up being selected 4th overall by his hometown Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Bowen admitted that he wasn’t aware that Marner was acknowledging him after his tribute. However, after seeing the Golden Knights forward’s comments, he expressed his gratitude.
“I certainly appreciate the gesture from [Marner] after the tribute video was played,” Bowen wrote on X. “I didn’t realize it was directed towards me until after the game.”
Ahead of Marner’s first game back in Toronto, Bowen shared his thoughts on Marner’s legacy as a Leaf. He said the Golden Knights forward’s legacy in Toronto was that he was often taken for granted.
“When you kind of assess the entire thing, we took [Marner] for granted. He orchestrated some of the biggest moments, but they were other people’s sticks that we celebrated, Bowen told TSN’s FirstUp. “We probably underappreciate what he did.”
Former NHL Goaltender Reacts to Marner’s Gesture Toward Bowen
Marner’s gesture caught the attention of many in the hockey community, including former NHL goaltender-turned-analyst Darren Pang.
Many of Bowen’s calls were used for Marner’s Leafs video tribute, making it an especially meaningful moment for the Vegas forward. Pang noted that Marner acknowledging Bowen, given the emotions surrounding the game, was a testament of his class and character.
“Well done @Marner93 to acknowledge @Bonsie1951 during his return,” Pang wrote on X. “I’m sure plenty was going through his mind, to have the wherewithal to do so is great for Joe and for Mitch to do.”
Mitch Marner Heaps Praise on Maple Leafs’ Joe Bowen After First Game in Toronto