Remembering Bob Cole: a larger-than-life hockey legend

The hockey world lost one of its most legendary figures on Thursday.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Cole passed away at the age of 90. The longtime Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play commentator was the voice of hockey for multiple generations, delivering legendary calls in both the National Hockey League and the international stage.

From his first big break doing radio during the 1969 Stanley Cup Playoffs to calling Ryan Poehling’s incredible debut in his final broadcast in April 2019, Cole was able to capture the ears of viewers from coast-to-coast and beyond. His calm demeanor at the beginning of contests only crescendoed when the game called for it, which led to some of the most legendary calls in our sport’s history.

On Friday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk looked back at the impact Cole made on the game of hockey.

Frank Seravalli: Beginning to work in the game professionally, and spending a lot of time working in Canada, and being in Bob Cole’s orbit at the rink, incredibly special. Kind of to go at it from a different angle…go back and learn and listen to all the calls and the special moments and highlights. They sort of become part of your lexicons, part of your vocabulary, the things that he would say. There was certain parts of it that…have become part of [my soundtrack] as an adult.

[I] not just grew to respect and appreciate, but really admire Bob Cole and his calls. Certainly sad news, to see the tributes pour in, that’s been amazing to watch, because you had a front-row set to some of the best moments in the game’s history.

You can watch the full segment and the entire episode here…

People took to social media and various platforms to honor the late broadcaster. Even after his team fell to a 3-0 deficit to the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper took time during his postgame media availability to honor a man who inspired so many.