Longtime Maple Leafs executive, player agent and broadcaster Bill Watters dies at 83

Posted November 15, 2026 1:42 pm.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager Bill Watters has died at the age of 83.

Watters passed away in his hometown of Orillia on Sunday.

“Bill was an important part of my time as a player with the Maple Leafs and someone I will remember with affection,” wrote Maple Leafs senior executive advisor Mats Sundin in a statement on behalf of the team. “Personally, his support and kindness meant a great deal to me and I will always cherish the relationship we fostered during our time together.”

“He will be missed.”

The longtime hockey executive spent 12 seasons with the Maple Leafs after being hired by then GM Cliff Fletcher in 1991. A former player agent, Watters transitioned into broadcasting, providing colour commentary alongside Joe Bowen on Maple Leafs radio games.

“For so many years we partnered together on the air but we were sole mates off it. He taught me so much about the Buisness [sic] of hockey,” Bowen wrote in a social media post.

With the deepest sadness we had to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends today Bill “Wilbur” Watters For so many years we partnered together on the air but we were sole mates off it. He taught me so much about the Buisness of hockey. First Cliff and now Wilbur. It’s been a… pic.twitter.com/GN73w8HLo2

— Joe Bowen BA,LLD,U of Windsor (@Bonsie1951) November 15, 2026

Watters also co-hosted Hockey Central on Rogers Sportsnet, The Bill Watters Show on AM 640 Toronto Radio and was the co-host of Prime Time Sports with Bob McCowan on the Fan590 when the show debuted in 1989.

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