Legendary Hockey Broadcaster Bob Cole Passes Away at Age 90
A well-known figure in Canadian hockey, Bob Cole, has passed away at the age of 90.
Announcing the sad news, Jon Shannon, a close friend of Mr. Cole, revealed that the broadcaster died on April 24 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Megan, Mr. Cole’s daughter, confirmed the news to CBC, mentioning that her father had been in good health until his passing.
Mr. Cole’s broadcasting career began with a radio broadcast of a Boston versus Montreal game in 1969. He transitioned to television in 1973 and called his final game on April 6, 2019, during the regular season finale between Montreal and Toronto.
Famous among Hockey Night in Canada viewers for his trademark phrase “Oh, baby!”, Mr. Cole covered numerous Stanley Cup games throughout his tenure. His distinctive play-by-play commentary enhanced the excitement of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union, and he also provided commentary for the 2002 Olympic final in Salt Lake City.
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In 1996, he was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame and received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his exceptional contributions as a broadcaster. Furthermore, in 2022, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean reflected on Mr. Cole’s legacy, emphasizing that “the players adored him.”
“He always said the game’s the thing, not the show, but the players so respected him … He was comfortable. He was professional. He was talented,” Mr. MacLean shared.
Expressing his condolences, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe remarked on April 25, “Someone who touched the game in so many ways, as an icon in our sport and the voice of hockey, not just in Toronto, but in our country. A sad day for sure,” to The Associated Press.
“The hockey world, we lost a legend,” commented Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness in an interview with The Associated Press. “All the coaches around the league and all the hockey people, they trusted him. He was a true pro. You could tell him anything and he called a great game.”
Aside from his hockey career, Mr. Cole was deeply involved in curling and led Brier teams representing Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1970s. He also anchored news for Here & Now, a CBC news program in Newfoundland and Labrador, and served as the quiz master on the TV show Reach for the Top.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
