Legendary play-by-play announcer Bob Cole has sadly passed away
Photo credit: CBC
Legendary play-by-play announcer Bob Cole sadly passed away Wednesday night at the age of 90.
For Canadian hockey fans, long-time play-by-play announcer Bob Cole was synonymous with Hockey Night in Canada and Saturday nights.
For five decades the Newfoundlander captivated audiences across Canada with an iconic voice and the way he was able to call games. Cole was part of some of the most historic calls in hockey history, including Paul Henderson's goal in the 1972 Summit Series and Joe Sakic's second goal against the United States in the 2002 gold medal game of the Salt Lake Olympics to name a few.
Cole retired from broadcasting at the end of the 2018-2019 season at the age of 85, with his final game being between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. At the time, current and former players reflected on his career and what he meant to hockey.
"His voice is to any hockey fan what Morgan Freeman's is to the cinema world." said Zack Smith
"That was the guy you grew up listening to. He made the game even more special than what it was. He brought you into the game, to be a part of it." said Leafs Captain John Tavares
In learning of the news today, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe called him an "icon".
"Someone who touched the game in so many ways. The voice of hockey not just in Toronto, but in our country."
Bob Cole was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, more than 20 years before he would retire. Sadly, Cole passed away Wednesday night in St. John's surrounded by his family at the age of 90. Our thoughts and condolences are with his friends and family at this time.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 25 | 465 ANSWERS Legendary play-by-play announcer Bob Cole has sadly passed away Is Bob Cole the best hockey play-by-play announcer of all-time? | ||
| Yes | 251 | 54 % |
| No, but he's definitely up there | 214 | 46 % |
| List of polls | ||
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