The passing of legendary Canadian broadcaster Bob Cole has elicited an outpouring of tributes from the sports community. Cole, renowned for his iconic voice that defined many hockey nights in Canada, was remembered for his profound impact on the sport and his ability to make games feel larger than life. His career highlights included his commentary during the Brier in St. John's in 2017 and his representation of Newfoundland and Labrador at two Briers in 1971 and 1975, where Gushue and the b'ys won. Cole's calls, particularly during significant games like JP Dumont's OT goal in 2006, left a lasting impression on fans and colleagues alike, marking him as a pivotal figure in sports broadcasting. He was often referred to as the 'voice of my childhood' and 'soundtrack on Saturday nights' for many, including during broadcasts on HNIC. His passing was noted as the end of an era, with tributes highlighting his life and legacy, including a special mention of his 'Stradivarius'-like voice in broadcasting.
Jon Cooper on Bob Cole. https://t.co/DXImCMFJY6
The last night for @EdmontonOilers at Rexall Place. Three GOAT's in the middle two announcers on the end. Photo provided by @JShannonhl #RIPBobCole https://t.co/GyCAZyjnMQ
First, take a moment to savor the call of Bob Cole. Then, check out the attire of #LetsGoPens fans. Very few jerseys in 1991. As an aside, I covered this game and was sitting behind the goal where Lemieux scored. The moment the puck went in, you knew it was a goal for the ages. https://t.co/QvYi9EQHCZ
.@Ron_MacLean shares a story of when he went golfing with Bob Cole during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. ⛳️ https://t.co/GoaXJZNm89
“You are there to enhance the game. Don’t ever try and steal it from the players. They are the game.” Bob Cole never made it about him. He was there to elevate the players, the excitement, the experience. https://t.co/OJHccuTtxP
Mario Lemieux was my entry point into hockey, and Bob Cole's call of his goal against the North Stars is as good as it gets. My favorite Cole-ism though? Loved when he'd say "here comes the big guy" as Mario would start skating towards the opposing net with the puck on a rush.
Sportsnet opened their NHL coverage tonight with a tribute to Bob Cole, featuring many famed players weighing in on his impact. https://t.co/zV5lfnz7ee
Cole remembered as 'Stradivarius' by 'Hockey Night in Canada' peers. https://t.co/WZpSIZ6UgK
Getting a chance to visit with Bob Cole was always special. 1st met him during a trip in @TheAHL to St. John’s. This picture was just before his last @NHL broadcast in Winnipeg. https://t.co/O6hO4UKDed
Bob Cole at his Finest! Classic Rangers-Islanders overtime - Ken Morrow goal - 1984 https://t.co/YRyb5KFc91 via @YouTube
Bob Cole & Harry Neale to be P4P the greatest broadcasting team ever. Bob Cole made me fall in love with hockey and broadcasting as he was just made the game come alive and be larger than life. #RIPBobCole #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/akvlSKF8hC
Bob Cole's call was the classical music of the PxP genre. https://t.co/EZRhicd3GB
"I think the hockey world, we lost a legend today." Rick Bowness, Maritimer, on the passing of Bob Cole, Newfoundlander.
Bob was the best. Americans have Sundays for football. As Canadians, we have hockey on Saturday nights and for the longest time, we had Bob Cole. As a west coaster, we have been privileged with some amazing radio and tv talent- Jim Robson, Jim Hughson and John Shorthouse… https://t.co/XGEQUE0nC8
RIP Bob Cole - Canadian Legend He hung on for Game 3 of #LeafsForever - then said, “Oh boy, i’ve had enough” @FriedgeHNIC https://t.co/8FXaoPIFLH
Opening Night of 'Hockey Night in Canada' in Year 1 of the Sportsnet package. Was told "you’re rinkside in Tampa." “Oh, and Bob Cole will be on the call.” Some memories of working and traveling with the one and only before the curtain raised on HNIC - https://t.co/URVVk61DeD
Nobody called a game like the legendary Bob Cole, from @simmonssteve https://t.co/EHoYuFGf7J https://t.co/5AWPB9u2kP
Gary Bettman…on Bob Cole: https://t.co/heBRTjLmFZ
Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the passing of Bob Cole. https://t.co/BtsqqbsTCP https://t.co/QWoWxFPhw5
Heartbroken today. A staple of not just Hockey Night, not just hockey, but for Saturday nights. His voice inflected powerful storytelling. Transcendent, trademarked, and iconic. Rest in peace Bob. https://t.co/brMkxT81S8
I could listen to Bob Cole stories all day https://t.co/rLRoF6yuVy
End of an era in Canada. Particularly poignant for anyone who heard Cole's call of the Henderson goal in Moscow to end the Summit Series. https://t.co/jHK24Wc5Aq https://t.co/imXHKicVLx
In 1992, I was calling one of my first hockey games at the Montreal Forum. Bob was in town and sat in the booth. I was nervous enough as it was, but now Bob Cole was sitting there. After a few minutes he gave me a thumbs up, couldn’t have meant more if God himself had done it. https://t.co/GKtV1s2XY1
I'm not sure anyone could capture the essence, energy and excitement of the game like Bob Cole. One of the absolute best do ever do it. And even more...always kind and gracious. Rest easy, Mr. Cole. Rest easy. https://t.co/EixzkEKFPZ
A beautiful tribute to Bob Cole's life and legacy from Stephen Brunt, here @Sportsnet https://t.co/m0gngKw85C
A voice for the ages. #bobcole https://t.co/xxTjgVcnhW
Bob Cole had so many great calls, this is my favourite. I wasn't even a Canadiens fan growing up. Eric Desjardins Overtime / Hat Trick Goal - Game 2, 1993 Stanley Cup Fin... https://t.co/YlO3gptoKA via @YouTube
What a privilege. Bob Cole. The best there ever was. For sure. https://t.co/GfJH6ndYMa
No one called the game like Bob Cole, Mr. Saturday Night ❤️🏒 https://t.co/Bz1F7yZjIC
The Greatest! We met him in Edmonton. It was 2016, last ever game at Rexall Place (Northlands Coliseum). Mr. Cole was a kind and gentle soul. We were more excited to see him than #99 or #97. I’ll never forget that day. #Legend #RIP https://t.co/McXFKRtGxK
Maple Leafs' Sheldon Keefe on a hockey icon: 'One syllable and it's Bob Cole.' https://t.co/RsuJv4c9T2 https://t.co/cvsam9TXL0
Thank you, Bob Cole. @sickpodnhl https://t.co/EB56fS9bmm
On this episode of The @JeffMarek Show: We remember the life and legacy of legendary broadcaster Bob Cole with Harry Neale, @CassieCampbell, @Ron_MacLean, John Davidson, Mark Askin & Dick Irvin. + #CauseChaos check-in w/ @swillis34 🎧 https://t.co/xE1m7ZZlGa 📺 SN360 & SN+
This photo hangs proudly in my office as a reminder of how honoured I felt to have spent some time with Bob Cole at HNIC, as well as in Cgy a few years ago. Thank you Mr Cole for providing the Saturday night soundtrack for the nation. No one was better at what you did. https://t.co/aVGVehSxJz
Very sad day. Bob was not just a broadcast legend but a wonderful person. RIP, Bob. https://t.co/1DvlH1UdR4
Now we know what it feels like when 38 million heats break at the same time. Condolences to the family and friends of Bob Cole.
Here’s fellow Maritimer and Avalanche star Nate MacKinnon on the passing of Bob Cole: https://t.co/IfqDoU7EOk
I snapped this picture in 2018 when Bob Cole worked one of our games for the last time. Sid was so gracious and always loved chatting with such a legend. RIP Bob. https://t.co/cCiPGWvexH
Nate MacKinnon calls Bob Cole "a legend." Says his voice and his calls were among the best of all time.
A true broadcasting - and hockey - icon. Many point to his classic, "Oh, baby!" as their favorite selection of his legendary verbiage, but I was always partial to a postseason OT, "And the place goes crrr-azy!" Rest in peace, Mr. Cole. Thanks for the beautiful soundtrack. https://t.co/y7B1RVuDap
This picture is framed in my home office where it will always remain. My heart is broken, but I am also smiling as “Mr. Bob Cole” & his Bobisms are having a dark rum and coke somewhere & he’s saying “Oh Baby” Love to his family and the HNIC family. We were so close back then. 💔 https://t.co/WwelqJUvuN
Mr. Cole. No one painted the picture or called the emotion of a game better. The voice of the game. The passion, baby. Rest in Peace. https://t.co/z8Q2vFhcNs
The best Bob Cole call of many. https://t.co/qVRIKbnOoV
Losing legendary voices in sports like RJ, Al Shaver, and now Bob Cole all so recently. The makers of memories.
"The building goes nuts": Bob Cole calls JP Dumont's OT goal that won Game 3 against Ottawa in 2006. RJ and Bob Cole in the building at the same time calling this goal. Flat-out hockey royalty. https://t.co/ySoiKxX24a
One of the voices of my childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It felt like a huge game even if it wasn’t when Mr. Cole was on the call. https://t.co/KAq5pVrN8P
“Away you go. Feel the game. Enjoy the game. I’m a fan. Not a boring job, my friend.” My tiny story and great thrill to be in the barn when Bob Cole called his final game: https://t.co/J0IRYQPk1m https://t.co/7j0fNoJ4cQ
Sheldon Keefe opened his availability by sending his thoughts and condolences to Bob Cole and his family on his passing. “An icon in our sport”.
For several generations of Canadians, Bob Cole was the soundtrack on Saturday nights. Simply put, he was the best.
One of the voices of my childhood hockey fandom; he was a regular fixture on Saturday nights. https://t.co/z4ocw3XIg5
I'll never forget my time with Bob Cole during the Brier in St. John's in 2017. He loved curling and represented Newfoundland and Labrador at two Briers in 1971 and 1975. Cole was so proud of Gushue and the b'ys when they won that week.
An absolute legend, with a voice and delivery that always made big games feel bigger. Condolences to Bob's family. What a life. https://t.co/PeRqd2Ej8r
Rest in peace Mr. Cole. Thanks for all the great momories, moments and calls. An absolute legend. https://t.co/gsUVBkddUq
RIP to one of the voices of Canada. An absolute legend. HNIC one of the joys of growing up in Michigan. https://t.co/pepSUOhE0o
A truly great voice falls quiet. A fine, fine person has left us for the great rink in the sky. So long Bob. It was an honour to have met you. https://t.co/hHRktcbLPq
The voice of my childhood. A legend. https://t.co/Evw5NzuIBJ