Bob Cole’s passing elicited these memories from Toronto Sun readers

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There’s no question that Bob Cole left an indelible mark on hockey fans across Canada.

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When the Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play icon died Wednesday 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).

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I was born in 1980 and 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.

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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.

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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

There is a lengthy list in regard to Mr. Cole. Picking one: That would be the memory of a 13-year-old in ’72. The entire student body in the Wilson Heights Jr. High gymnasium. Watching multiple TV sets and listening on radio. 

At some point we all see, hear and react to Mr. Cole saying one word: “HENDERSON!”

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Fifty-plus years later, I still have goosebumps when I recall numerous teenagers and faculty going nuts!

Oh, baby. Thank you, Mr. Cole. The final buzzer may have sounded. Yet memories of you play on.

R.I.P.

Steve Lipton

“They’re going home!”

One of the most iconic calls in hockey when the Philadelphia Flyers pummelled the Soviet Red Army team in January 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

So many iconic calls. His voice was hockey.

M.S.

Thank you Bob for all you did. You and Foster will be a great team.

P. Bourne

[email protected]

X: @koshtorontosun

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