Known for “Oh baby!” With that tagline, Cole highlighted a number of notable games as part of CBC's “Hockey Night in Canada.” His unique play-by-play style has made radio broadcasts of his 1972 Canada vs. Soviet Union summit series, his 2002 Olympic finals in Salt Lake City, and numerous Stanley Cup finals. Added more flavor to.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Cole “made every game he called louder,” adding, “He showed a clear passion for our game and eloquently expressed the excitement and dignity of hockey.” “We shared an amazing talent that we communicated with both enthusiasm and transcended generations.”
Mr. Cole called his first game on radio, in 1969 between Boston and Montreal, and moved to television in 1973. He called his last game on April 6, 2019, the final regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. During that time, he was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 and received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.
“Every coach in the league, everyone in hockey believed in him,” Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “He was a true professional. You could say anything to him and he had a great game.”
Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Cooper said he developed a passion for the game by listening to Cole as a child.
“It all came down to the emotion that Bob Cole brought to this game,” Cooper said. “And he's the Wayne Gretzky of announcers. My passion for the game is built on the words of Bob Cole, and every night I watch 'Hockey Night in Canada,' I hear his voice. I would turn it on at five o'clock just to listen.”
Cole's scope expanded beyond hockey. He missed representing Newfoundland at the 1971 Brier and the 1975 Canadian Men's Curling Championship, served as quizmaster for “Reach for the Top,'' and worked for the Newfoundland government.
A complete list of survivors was not immediately available.
