From inside the organization, Toronto recruits a well-known voice to fill one of Canada’s most famous radio positions.
When it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ radio booth, filling a position that the same person held for more than 40 years is a challenge, and replacing a broadcasting icon is never simple. A big hole was left in Leafs Nation when Joe Bowen retired after the 2025–2026 season, and the group obviously gave it a lot of thought. Now, according to many sources, the team has chosen someone they are quite familiar with to carry the torch.
According to sources, Todd Crocker, the long-time play-by-play voice of the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, will assume the role of the Maple Leafs’ new radio voice. Once again, games will be divided between Sportsnet 590 The Fan and TSN 1050, and he is slated to join seasoned color analyst Jim Ralph in the booth this season.
Big Leagues and Marlies Mic
Crocker has been calling Marlies games since the 2013-14 season, spending over ten years describing the depth players and prospects who are advancing through Toronto’s system. Meaning the 59-year-old has been doing this for a very long time, he spent over 15 years as a broadcaster for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL before that.
This won’t be his first time at the NHL level either. Crocker made his NHL broadcasting debut on TSN Sports Radio during the 2018–19 season and has filled in for Bowen sometimes over the years. Perhaps the most famous incident occurred in January 2025, when Bowen took his first requested night off in 43 years to attend Notre Dame’s game in the College Football Playoff national championship. Crocker stood beside Ralph that evening and announced a 5-3 Leafs victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena. It appeared to be a one-of-a-kind novelty at the moment. It was, in retrospect, basically an audition.
Recently, Crocker called the Marlies’ journey to the Calder Cup Final and has appeared frequently on Leafs media programming as a prospects analyst. The shift should go more smoothly for him and the audience since he is familiar with the organization from top to bottom.
When contacted for comment, Bowen himself expressed his support, stating that if Crocker is selected, “he will get to work with the absolute best partner in Ralphie.” “Just be yourself, do not attempt to be different,” was Bowen’s typically candid counsel to his replacement. “It’s simply a hockey game, and it’s supposed to be fun. It’s not World War 3 until Game 7, so savor it.”
Why a Dedicated Radio Voice is Still Important
One of the most promising aspects of this action is that the Leafs seem committed to maintaining a distinct radio broadcast crew rather than just simulcasting the TV stream. That distinction is more crucial than some people believe. Describing the game for listeners who are unable to see it is the core of a good radio broadcast. A simulcast streams TV audio to radio, which is great until the speaker refers to a replay or says “look at that” when the listener is stuck in traffic on the Gardiner and has no visual information.
While some NHL teams have opted for simulcasts as a cost-cutting move, others have embraced in-house shows broadcast via websites and apps. In a market where radio hockey has such deep roots, the Leafs’ decision to maintain a committed radio crew is noteworthy. Whether in the vehicle, at the cabin, or under the blankets well after bedtime, the Leafs were not merely seen but also listened to for many generations of supporters.
Precisely because radio requires a different sort of narrative, Bowen’s legendary calls, such as his portrayal of Nikolai Borschevsky’s Game 7 overtime victory over Detroit in 1993, became indelible parts of Toronto sports history. It is important to maintain that heritage.
Neither TSN nor Sportsnet has publicly responded to one persistent question. During the last five seasons of Bowen’s career, he and Ralph were compelled to call road games from television screens in a Toronto studio rather than go with the club. Bowen’s decision to retire was greatly influenced by that cost-cutting policy, which began during COVID and never completely disappeared. It is still unknown whether Ralph and Crocker will be subject to the same remote configuration, and if the company is serious about the caliber of its radio product, it should get this right.
This impending Leafs campaign is shaping up to be a new beginning in more than one way, with new voices on the airways and first-round selection Gavin McKenna joining the squad. Crocker has spent years gaining this chance, and the first signals point to the Leafs, but nobody will ever be able to replace Joe Bowen.
