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After graduating from the University of Windsor, Bowen returned to Sudbury where he started his career in radio, covering the [[Ontario Hockey League]]'s (OHL) [[Sudbury Wolves]]. In addition to broadcasting the games, Bowen also held the position of Sports Director at station [[CJRQ-FM|CKSO]], anchoring various sportscasts throughout the day.<ref name="CKSO"/> He spent five years with the Wolves before moving to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] in 1979 to announce [[Nova Scotia Voyageurs]] games and serve as the sports director for two Halifax radio stations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sportscaster can't believe good fortune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599743/sportscaster-cant-believe-good-fortune/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=The Expositor |date=September 30, 1982}}</ref> While in Halifax, Bowen received an offer from [[Len Bramson]] to try out for the play-by-play announcer position for [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] of the [[National Hockey League]].<ref name="Zelkovich">{{cite news |last1=Zelkovich |first1=Chris |title=25 years, holy mackinaw! |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/2007/10/03/25_years_holy_mackinaw.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=[[Toronto Star]] |date=October 3, 2007}}</ref> Following the try-out, Bowen replaced [[Ron Hewat]] to become the fifth play-by-play radio broadcaster in the history of Toronto Maple Leafs.<ref>{{cite news |title=People 'n' places |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599842/people-n-places/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=The Sault Star |date=September 29, 1982|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Bowen made his debut as the Leafs' play-by-play announcer on October 6, 1982, at the Chicago Stadium.<ref name="CKSO"/> He joined [[CJCL]], the Telemedia flagship station, in 1983 and took over as morning sports anchor and radio voice of the Leafs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leafs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599536/leafs/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=The Windsor Star |date=February 15, 1991|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
Bowen remained a mainstay in the Leafs' broadcasting booth throughout the 1990s, despite rumours circulating in 1995 that he would be replaced. In 1995, the Telemedia Sports Network lost out in the bidding war for the rights to air the Leafs on the radio to [[CILQ-FM|Q107]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blatchford |first1=Christie |title=Here's hoping Bowen stays on |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599697/heres-hoping-bowen-stays-on/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=National Post |date=August 4, 1995|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The new radio station wanted a full-time announcer for its 82 regular-season games and playoffs instead of allowing Bowen to work both radio and TV.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bowen close to making a decision on his future |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599770/bowen-close-to-making-a-decision-on-his/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=National Post |date=August 15, 1995|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He eventually chose to join Q107 instead of Telemedia Sports Network. As the radio station did not allow him to also feature on television, Bowen's former TV partner [[Gord Stellick]] was partnered with [[Mark Hebscher]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bowen still voice of Leafs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120599676/bowen-still-voice-of-leafs/ |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=The Windsor Star |date=August 19, 1995|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1997, Bowen replaced [[Jiggs McDonald]] on 35 mid-week TV broadcasts on [[CIII-DT|Global
He also called several seasons for the [[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]'s [[Toronto Rock]], beginning in their inaugural season in Toronto in 1999, after one season in [[Hamilton, ON|Hamilton]] as the Ontario Raiders. This included the 1999-2002 NLL championship games. Bowen stopped calling Rock games after the 2007 season.<ref name="CKSO"/>
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