'Absolute legend' Bob Cole remembered for the passion he brought to hockey
St. John's-based broadcaster died Wednesday night at 90
In the aftermath of Bob Cole's death, tributes are pouring in for the late hockey legend, who is being remembered for the impact he had on a game he loved from childhood to his final days.
Cole, 90, died Wednesday night in his hometown of St. John's. His varied broadcasting career included his decades-long role in calling colourful, energetic plays on Hockey Night in Canada.
Broadcaster Brian Rogers, a commentator for a number of teams that have played out of St. John's out of the years, said it was hard to hear the news of Cole's death.
"It's a tough day for hockey for Canadians, from Newfoundland Labrador to British Columbia, because the man was an absolute legend," Rogers told CBC News.
"And there'll be nobody that's presently employed — or that was — that'll ever match his skill set, in my humble estimation."
He also said Cole was let "out to pasture too early," especially when compared to contemporary commentators. He said Cole described the game as it was happening and he taught Rogers to do the same, which Rogers said is what fans want.
"They don't want five guys reciting stats."
Rogers said for other broadcasters, Cole was a great teacher without ever knowing it. Cole also gave him advice on how to get to the next professional level and improve, which Rogers said he was eager to do.
"The thing that I picked up most for Bob was his passion for the game," said Rogers.
Synonymous with the sport
Glenn Stanford, a long-time hockey executive, said Cole was synonymous with hockey and that this was a sad day for the sport and the province.
"For most of us, he was the voice of our youth when we were watching hockey or listening to hockey," said Stanford.
"Those of my vintage, and certainly 65 and over, we grew up with Bob Cole. We grew up with Bob Cole on Wednesday nights with a black and white TV on Springdale Street where I grew up."
After getting to know him, Stanford said Cole didn't enjoy the spotlight and he was humble.
"And cantankerous at times, as well. I mean for those of us who know Bob, he was a very unique individual," said Stanford.
Stanford recalled back in 2001, Cole was called to drop a puck during an exhibition game and was surprised when the Bob Cole Media Centre was unveiled at what is now the Mary Brown's Centre.
Stanford recalled that Cole "wasn't too happy" with him afterwards.
Loss for province
Premier Andrew Furey said Cole was a legend who left a deep impact on the province.
"Hearing him call games allowed us to dream," Furey told reporters Thursday at the House of Assembly.
"[He] allowed us to realize that we could achieve great heights, because you could hear it, you could see him, you could feel it, a Newfoundlander on the world stage. This can be us."
Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham said when someone from this province competes on the national and international stage, everyone feels a sense of pride.
"Bob Cole was one of those people that when you heard him on a Saturday night calling play-by-play for Hockey Night in Canada, you'll immediately identify that he was from Newfoundland and Labrador. He was very proud to say that," said Wakeham.
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With files from Terry Roberts, Mark Quinn and Abby Cole
