Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 607: Featuring Joe Bowen
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul “Biz Nasty” Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Special Guest: Joe Bowen – Hall of Fame Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Episode Overview
This episode delivers the outspoken and rambunctious hockey banter Spittin’ Chiclets is known for, topped off with a much-anticipated and heartwarming interview with legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen. The crew tackles current NHL storylines—from the ECHL player strike and hot teams to contract debates, playoff hopes and frustrations, and unforgettable moments in hockey history. Bowen joins to reminisce about his storied 44-year career, classic Leaf moments, and the art of hockey play-by-play.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
NHL Minor Leagues: ECHL Strike and Calder Cup Rings (09:14–16:22)
- ECHL player strike: The boys discuss demands for higher league minimum, improved per diem, and helmet rules for player safety. Biz and Whit, as small minority owners, express support for players and criticize owner pushback.
- “If it came down to me having to fork over my less than 1% share of the Greensboro Gargoyles, fucking take it. Give it to the guys.” —Peter Chiarelli | 15:05
- Calder Cup rings delay: Calgary’s AHL farm team hasn’t received their championship rings; discussion on how hard minor leaguers grind for little reward.
Salary Cap & Superteams: Contract Length Debate (28:25–41:54)
- Idea floated (by Biz) to shorten NHL contract maximums—a system where stars sign for 4–5 years, promoting player mobility, “super teams,” and competitive balance, but with risks for middle-tier players.
- “I want to see more deals like the Quinn Hughes deal... and just watch better people. Like the hockey’s way better.” —Biz Nasty | 33:32
League Round-Up: Notable Teams and Players
- Detroit’s Moritz Seider Emerges (62:11–67:48):
- Lauded as a rare mean, offensive defenseman—potential Norris and Olympic game-changer.
- “All the Red Wings fans who were telling me, Moritz Seider, now you guys saying for the Hart. I’m not there yet, but for Norris. 100%. 100%.” —Whitney | 64:45
- Buffalo Surges (68:53–74:19):
- Sabres rattle off wins after coaching change; Dahlen’s viral end-to-end goal; optimism the playoff drought could finally end.
- “Keep with the positivity, Buffalo. You deserve it. We love you more than anyone. 14 frigging years? Are you kidding me?” —Whitney | 74:19
- Toronto Meltdown/New Direction:
- Whit laments betting heavy on Leafs’ regular-season points over, with Toronto now one loss from last in division; discussion of firing assistant coach Mark Savard.
- “For a guy who hates the Leafs, I would almost feel as… I’d love this. They’re not even getting the same amount of fans. The attendance is down. They stink.” —Whitney | 83:11
Joe Bowen Interview
Start: 91:25
Overview
Bowen reflects on 44 years as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, insights on the Leafs’ perennial struggle, the unique craft of hockey play-by-play, and memories of hockey’s greats. The tone throughout is a warm mix of reverence and humor.
Highlights & Memorable Quotes
- On Coaching Changes and Leafs' Struggles (93:18–96:44):
- Bowen draws parallels to Pat Burns’ philosophy on coaching shelf life and the dynamics of players “tuning out” coaches.
- “Even the great ones, like Scotty Bowman, got fired in Buffalo, so those things happen… it seems like it’s almost the inevitable.” —Joe Bowen | 92:58
- On Announcing Style and Preparation:
- Started as a ball-hockey announcer in the backyard; honed skills on the Sudbury Wolves’ bus.
- Every play-by-play announcer develops a unique preparation and cadence.
- “You have to develop a style and not only repetition and… riding the bus get you to that stage.” —Joe Bowen | 105:34
- Creation of ‘Holy Mackinaw!’ (109:47):
- A family saying, possibly from his father; various theories exist, but its thunderous delivery became his iconic exclamation.
- “Of all the kind of attention that I’m getting here… people from Mackinac island… and then hold, I don’t… They’re all trying to take credit for it!” —Joe Bowen | 110:31
- Reflections on Famous Leaf Eras & Personal Memories (119:54–124:11):
- Experiences in the Harold Ballard years, Wendell Clark era, and close playoff runs—especially 1993.
- On the “homer” label, he quips:
- “I’m an objective homer. And if they’re not playing well… you can’t whitewash a picket fence that doesn’t have anything in it.” | 115:03
- Favorite Players/Teammates:
- Cites Wendell Clark, Dougie Gilmour, Curtis Joseph, Mats Sundin, and iconic lesser-known friends, emphasizing the difficulty of narrowing it down from so many greats.
- On Brawls and Wild Times:
- Tales of legendary fights: Wendell Clark’s brawl with Steve Smith and mothers almost coming to blows.
- Laments the “mayhem” of old-time hockey: “It was a lot more physical. There was a lot more mayhem. It was an interesting time….” | 114:29
- Hockey Announcer “Slumps” (131:19):
- “No, you do. You make mistakes. You misidentify a guy… everybody does.”
- Summit Series & Maple Leafs Legacy (139:18):
- Closes with a Summit Series story, stopping Daryl Sittler three times in a reunion game (“Sittler wouldn’t talk to me for two months!”).
Notable Quotes: Rapid-Fire
- “There’s a great thing to being dumb as a bag of hammers, you know, and in sports, a lot of times, being that dumb really kind of helps you out.” —Joe Bowen | 97:13
- “You gotta get into a routine… You need to ride the bus. You really do.” —Joe Bowen | 105:10
- “God bless you, boys!” (Bowen’s impromptu call after a desperate Leafs OT playoff win) | 137:03
Other Memorable Segments
- Jack Hughes & Tate McRae Buzz: Jack Hughes’ return to the Devils is tabloid fodder as he’s seen with pop star Tate McRae; snipes a goal in his comeback.
- Canadian Olympic Hopes: Discussion of how injuries (Carolina’s Slavin, Jarvis) may affect Team USA and general Olympic outlooks for key players.
- Flyers Hot Mic Incident (149:01):
- Hysterical discussion of the recent “Would you mind blowing me?” Flyers broadcaster gaffe, with the boys laughing—“I listened to it five times; I laughed harder each time.” —Whitney
Recurring Theme: “I Love You”
Throughout the episode, the Chiclets hosts repeatedly jab and tease, but also drop frequent “I love you” affirmations—a recurring joke towards fans, each other, and hockey’s extended family.
- “Even though you hate me, I love you. And I wish the best things happen to you.” —Biz Nasty | 16:41
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | ECHL Strike & Minor League Issues | 09:14–16:22 | | NHL Contract Length Debate | 28:25–41:54 | | Moritz Seider/Norris Trophy Discussion | 62:11–67:48 | | Sabres’ Hot Streak | 68:53–74:19 | | Leafs Woes & Firing of Mark Savard | 81:06–86:55 | | Joe Bowen Joins (Interview) | 91:25–143:06 | | Flyers Hot Mic Incident | 149:01 |
Final Thoughts
This episode is both a lively trip through hockey’s contemporary issues and a heartfelt celebration of one of the sport’s broadcasting icons. Listeners are treated to insider stories, passionate debates on everything from youth hockey pads to superstar contracts, and the unapologetic candor fans expect. Joe Bowen’s segment, in particular, captures the essence of hockey nostalgia and the impact of a legendary voice on generations of fans.