Written by Julian McKenzie, Eric Duhachek, Chris Johnston
Canadian sports announcer and play-by-play commentator Bob Cole died Wednesday night at the age of 90, his daughter told CBC. According to CBC, Cole died surrounded by his family in his hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland.
“Like hockey fans across the country, we are deeply saddened to hear of Bob Cole's passing,” CBC executive vice president Barb Williams said in a statement. The Athletic. “For more than 50 years, his magical voice has energized even preseason games with excitement, not to mention 28 Stanley Cup Finals and the iconic 2002 gold medal game. What a talent. And what a loss to the entire hockey community. Bob will always hold a special place in our hearts at CBC.”
Cole began his broadcasting career at local radio station VOCM in St. John's and joined CBC Radio in 1969. In 1972, as a radio broadcaster, Cole scored Paul Henderson's series-winning goal in the Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union. The longtime announcer joined the “Hockey Night in Canada” telecast in 1973 and has played numerous games up until his final regular-season game against the Montreal Canadiens on April 6, 2019. provided the soundtrack for the regular season, playoffs, and Stanley Cup Finals. Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I don't know if Bob Cole will ever come back,” said his former broadcast partner Greg Millen. “That may be true, but he had the ability to flow in the game. And he got out of the way and let the players do their thing. Sometimes it's a lost art. It's like.
Cole was also the announcer for three Olympic Games, including Canada's senior men's team's victory at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, which ended a 50-year goal drought. This was also the location of his one of the most iconic calls of all time, “Jew, Sakic!” —On Joe Sakic's second goal of the game with just over a minute left in the gold medal game.
Cole was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 after receiving the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding broadcasting. Hewitt, the longtime broadcaster of Hockey Night in Canada, was a source of inspiration for Cole's broadcast. Cole found Hewitt and made him listen to the audition tape, and Hewitt gave feedback.
Shortly after the news of his death, the hockey world was in mourning.
“He was a guy who impacted the game in so many ways,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He is an icon of our sport and a voice for the hockey world, not just in Toronto but in our country. It's certainly a sad day. Our thoughts are with everyone.”
John Shannon, the longtime producer of “Hockey Night in Canada,” first met Cole in 1977. At the time, Cole was the show's $10 one-day runner, and Cole was one of the four voices on “Hockey Night in Canada.” The others were Jim Robson of Vancouver, Danny Gallivan of Montreal and Bill Hewitt of Toronto.
Our group had a blast taking photos with the hockey icon. It was great to have the Stanley Cup. Match and country soundtrack. love and respect. Godspeed Bob. pic.twitter.com/UBLoZR5udt
— Chris Cuthbert (@CCpxpSN) April 25, 2024
Cole eventually became the national voice of Hockey Night in Canada, but when he was first hired there was some initial pushback from fans who had become accustomed to Hewitt and Gallivan's voices. Generally, listeners like to hear a familiar, reassuring voice, and Cole ended up being that voice. However, it took some time for viewers to get used to it at first.
“This was a natural progression for a lot of people within the company who wanted 'Hockey Night,'” Shannon said. “You could say this is the voice of the network to the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs or the voice of the Canadians. So Bob became that transition guy. There was a little bit of backlash in Toronto, you're right. There was a little bit in Montreal as well. There was a backlash.
“How we worked with 'Hockey Night' was that the bigger the game, the more important it was to have someone to cover the Montreal game who wasn't seen as the Montreal announcer. Similarly, Toronto (They were) seen as Toronto announcers, but in Canada announcers they were seen as “Hockey Night.”
Since then, “Hockey Night in Canada” has grown to include Cole's iconic call, “Oh baby!” and “Everything is happening!” have become a staple of Canadian hockey legends. As Shannon explained, his baritone voice was also part of his legend.
“Honestly, growing up, I think all of my hockey memories were of his voice,” Keefe said. “I think it's very identifiable. One syllable and you know it's Bob Cole. I just know that I have a lot of friends and I love the game Bob called and that I mean, there are so many people who loved his name and his passion, and I don't think there will ever be a special moment like his. I think I was there.”
“The other thing about him was that no one had more anticipation for the game,” Shannon said. “If the puck was in the neutral zone, Bob would say, ‘Here we go!’” or “Watch out!” — and nine times out of 10 he was right, so he paid attention. There was a need. Something was about to happen. That's what separates him from most other players, his real sense of anticipation.
“He considered himself an entertainer. He was theatrical. He knew how to use his voice. I teach players how to do play-by-play, and Bob Cole is a prime example, because a goal in the first period is not as important as a goal in the second or third period, because he was able to convey it with the intonation and tone of his voice. You'll know when it says “Score!” Oh, that was an important goal. he was great ”
Millen's fondest memory is directing the broadcast and watching Cole's games where only his voice could be heard. He remembers getting a “lecture” from Cole before the game. Usually, Cole sat in the front seat of the taxi heading to the rink.
“Let's not let it get in the way of tonight's game. Let's let it go,” says Millen. “And that was his way of saying, I'm playing this game. And come when I teach.”
Shannon said Cole's passions included the New York Yankees, Frank Sinatra and his four children: Robbie, Meghan, Hilary and Kristen.
“He talked about them as much as he talked about the game,” Shannon said. “He never left St. John's. He lived in Newfoundland all his life. But he was always able to maintain a sense of balance between family and work. He was a remarkable man. For me, he was the soundtrack of hockey for more than a few generations.
“He had a passion for the game. He wanted to do it right. He was demanding. He was tough, but no one understands the moment like he did. Dan Kelly and Bob Cole. If he says, “And the crowd goes crazy!” — Bob says, “Okay, guys, let's hear it.” You knew you wouldn't hear another word for 15 seconds. That's what Bob did. Bob was as good as they come. ”
(Photo: Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
