Postmedia readers share their Bob Cole memories
There's no question that Bob Cole left an indelible mark on hockey fans across Canada.
When the Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play icon died last week at the age of 90, we asked readers to send us their memories, via email or story comments of Cole and what he meant to them. Here's what some you had to say (letters or comments may have been edited for clarity and length).
I was born in 1980, I remember Hockey Night in Canada.
It was you every Saturday night with my family. It was you, the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s. I don't remember when you and Harry Neale started working with each other, however I remember you and Harry when you called the 1993 playoffs, and it was you on Wayne Gretzky's last game.
Growing up, I recall hockey bringing Canada together with family and friends. When Quebec wanted to separate, I feel hockey brought Canada together. Your voice, the calls of the game were not for one team, it was for the game.
As I got older, I missed your calming voice, a voice that I will always remember. As time passed, we had the privilege of seeing hockey evolve and you were right there, from the 1970s, through the 1980s, the 1990s and to the 2000s. As with time, things come and go, unfortunately people pass on.
Your voice will never leave my memories. Your kindness will never leave my memories.
Your voice still is in my memory like those days gone by.
You're in a better place now Bob, probably talking to hockey's best who have all gone now.
Thank you for making Hockey Night in Canada my fondest memories with my family, watching different eras and the steadfast voice of hockey from one decade to the next decade. You will be missed Mr. Cole, may you rest knowing that Canada misses you.
Bryan Worrall
After growing up having to endure watching Russia always win Olympic gold and not having Canada's best players available because the NHL refused to shut down was always tough for me.
Then after 50 years to the day we last won hockey gold, we did it in Salt Lake City in the 2002 Winter Games. The thing I remember most as I was with friends that day was the Bob Cole call on Joe Sakic's goal. Still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Bill Smith
“They're going home!”
One of the most iconic calls in hockey when the Philadelphia Flyers pummelled the Soviet Red Army team in January of 1976 and the Russians left the ice in the middle of the first period.
R.I.P. Mr. Cole. Jason Smith
It may have been his first HNIC broadcast.
The Leafs were trailing by two when they scored. The building was rocking as they brought the puck up the ice, and this Newfoundland announcer whose island home was always linked to Toronto hockey, uttered these words, “Come on, Leafs!”
I thought to myself, “Yeah, this new announcer is going to be all right.” Needless to say, somebody at HNIC told Cole he had to remain neutral on these national broadcasts as he never (said that) again.
Name withheld tkoshan@postmedia.com