Oh baby. The 50 years of Bob Cole on Hockey Night in Canada started in radio in 1969. Cole switched to television in 1973 when CBC expanded its coverage. He served as the #1 play-by-play guy from 1980-2008.
Cole was the #2 play-by-play guy at the CBC at the end of its run in 2014. Under Rogers, Cole fell further down in the announcers chain. Rogers shut Cole out for the playoffs in spring 2018. The Rogers wrapup seemed designed to make it exactly 50 years for Cole.
These are the 16 games Bob Cole called this season for Rogers. The original schedule was supposed to end on December 22 but was extended to April 6. All of them are Hockey Night in Canada except where marked.
- October 6 Montréal @ Pittsburgh, 7p+
- October 13 Pittsburgh @ Montréal, 7p
- October 20 Montréal @ Ottawa, 7p
- October 27 Pittsburgh @ Vancouver, 10p
- November 3 Chicago @ Calgary, 10p
- November 24 Boston @ Montréal, 7p
- December 1 NY Rangers @ Montréal, 7p
- December 9 Calgary @ Edmonton, 9p*
- December 15 Ottawa @ Montréal, 7p
- December 22 NY Rangers @ Toronto, 7p+
- January 5 Nashville @ Montréal, 7p
- February 6 Ottawa @ Toronto, 7:30p**
- March 9 Ottawa @ Boston, 7p
- March 16 Chicago @ Montréal, 7p
- March 30 Montréal @ Winnipeg, 7p
- April 6 Toronto @ Montréal, 7p+
- — Hometown Hockey; ** -- Wednesday Night Hockey; + — NHL Network
As we noted in the past, Cole served for a time as the news anchor for CBC in St. John's and would cover the NHL on the weekends. Republic of Doyle fans know Cole served as the voice of the republic on the St. John's-based CBC show.
Cole was the skipper for Newfoundland and Labrador to the curling Brier in 1971 and 1975. Cole was also a airplane pilot.
Given all that he has done and has lasted so long, we're not sure what Bob Cole does in retirement. Rogers would be gracious to let Cole contribute to special events such as Hockey Day in Canada — similar to how they use Dick Irvin Jr. — or on Hometown Hockey if they are in Newfoundland.
Cole could also work on a future Allan Hawco TV series shot on The Rock.
CanadianCrossing.com NHL coverage
Cole might enjoy not having to spend time in airports. He will likely keep watching hockey and missing the broadcast booth.
Oh baby indeed.
videos credit: CBC News; This Hour Has 22 Minutes
photo credit: CBC News
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