If you were concerned that longtime Leafs play-by-play Joe Bowen would suffer a similar fate that Chuck Kaiton did in Carolina last month, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Joe Bowen (recipient of the 2018 recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award) and color commentator Jim Ralph agreed to a contract extension to remain the Leafs radio broadcast team for the next five years.
The 67-year-old has been the voice of the Leafs since 1982 and after 36 years of broadcasting the club through close calls in 1993, 1994, 1999 and 2002, the Sudbury, ON native would like to see the club bring home a Stanley Cup in the next five years.
“I tried retirement during the lockout and didn’t like it. If I can still do the job, I love it too much. I will know when I can’t and I won’t overstay my welcome.” Bowen said to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun .
“I’m excited as hell about the next five years to watch this team and be a part of it. And the best part is I will be with Ralphie.”
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Some Leaf related notes from the World Junior Summer Showcase. Team Sweden’s head coach Tomas Monten has been impressed with the offensive chops of Chicago Blackhawks first rounder Adam Boqvist and believes the 18-year-old could handle the power play quarterback duties for the upcoming World Junior in Vancouver if other more experienced options are not available.
(Boqvist) is a skilled offensive defenseman. If we don’t have Timothy Liljegren or (Vegas 2017 first rounder) Erik Brannstrom, he’s our No. 1 defenseman on our power play and offensive side.” Monten said to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. .
Liljegren played a large role for Sweden in the 2018 World Junior in Buffalo, but only saw occasional power play time with Sabres first round pick Rasmus Dahlin getting the lion’s share.
The 19-year-old’s availability for the WJC is subject to the Leafs making him available, but Liljegren is expected to stay in the American Hockey League for another year of development for most of next season and Toronto released him to play for his country in those circumstances last December.
Monten also spoke about the absence of 2018 Leafs first rounder Rasmus Sandin.
Sandin indicated during the Leafs Development Camp in June that he would be attending the Summer Showcase with hopes that it would give him a chance to play for Sweden in the WJC, but after signing his entry-level deal with Toronto, the 18-year-old’s representative indicated that his long run in the OHL Playoffs with the Soo Greyhounds was taxing and he would not be attending.
“We tried to get Rasmus Sandin on the team, but his summer hadn’t been as good as he wanted and he didn’t feel he was set to come here and compete.” Monten said. So (Wild 2018 first rounder) Filip (Johansen) got the call and he’s looked really good here.”
Sandin scored 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists) in his rookie season for the Greyhounds, but there some indications that he may return to Sweden to play for Rogle BK, who he is under contract for one more year with and who his older brother Linus plays for.
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