Bob Cole, the voice of hockey in Canada for a half-century, who provided the soundtrack for some of the national sport’s biggest moments, died April 24 in St. John’s, the capital of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He was 90.

John Shannon, a friend and fellow broadcaster, confirmed his death, which was also announced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., the network for which Mr. Cole worked. The cause was not immediately available.

Known for his “Oh baby!” catchphrase, Mr. Cole called many notable games as part of CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada.” His distinctive play-by-play style added even more flavor to the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union, when he did the radio broadcast, the 2002 Olympic final in Salt Lake City and numerous Stanley Cup finals.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Mr. Cole “made every game he called sound bigger” and “transcended generations by sharing his obvious passion for our game and his stunning talent for conveying hockey’s excitement and majesty with both eloquence and enthusiasm.”

Mr. Cole called his first game, on radio, between Boston and Montreal in 1969 and moved to TV in 1973. He called his last game on April 6, 2019 — the regular season finale between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs — and in between was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, winning the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

“All the coaches around the league and all the hockey people, they trusted him,” Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “He was a true pro. You could tell him anything and he called a great game.”

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he developed his passion for the game by listening to Mr. Cole when he was growing up.

“It was all because of the emotion that Bob Cole brought to this game,” Cooper said. “And he’s the Wayne Gretzky of announcers. My passion for this game is built on what Bob Cole said and every night watching ‘Hockey Night in Canada,’ I’d turn that thing on at 5 o’clock just to hear his voice.”

Mr. Cole’s reach extended beyond hockey. He skipped Newfoundland at the 1971 Brier and 1975 Canadian men’s curling championship, served as quiz master on “Reach for the Top” and worked for the Newfoundland government.

A complete list of survivors was not immediately available.

When bitten by the travel bug, the outside world tends to look fresh and tantalizing, while one's home country can feel banal, or outright problematic. I'm constantly on a quest to visit foreign places, and yet, I haven't seen each Canadian province/territory, let alone delved into the endless sub-regions and cultures of this massive country. The longer I'm away from my home and native land, the more I recognize the need to rectify this oversight. So since I grew up in Central Canada (Ontario), and spent more than a decade as a traveling salesman in the West (British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan), I figured it was time to take a trip to the East Coast (Newfoundland). Thankfully, I had a close friend/lifelong St. John's resident to show me some highlights and connect me to the unmistakably Celtic culture. With her help, I got up on stage at some of the local live music venues, chased the phallus-shaped iceberg that was the temporary talk of the town, saw transatlantic freighters off from North America's final feet of land, and explored many other facets of this rough n' tumble, but spirited place.

The Rugged Beauty Of The Atlantic Coast

Newfoundland is an island province and the easternmost land mass in North America. It is bounded by the Gulf of St. Lawrence (to the West), the North Atlantic Ocean (to the East), and the Labrador Sea (to the Northeast), which divides Canada from the wintery wonder that is Greenland, and forms the Southern aspect of "Iceberg Alley." As such, in St. John's (North America's easternmost city), the winds blow hard and often (creating a mix of stalwart coniferous forests and grassy tundra), the snows stay late into the spring (something that caught me a bit off-guard during my late-May visit), the rocky shores do their best to meet the onslaught of white-capped waves, and the persistent clouds make you wan't to put on a wool sweater and toque, and seek refuge in a stout beer at an old pub.

Since I was only there for a three-week trip, I embraced the novel and challenging climate with eagerness and intrigue. I enjoyed my daily trips up to Signal Hill to face the wind head on (passing by the harbored ships and fist-bumping the Terry Fox statue on my way out/back). It woke me up with the zip of ten coffees, and put an empowering chill in my bones that would make Wim Hof proud. Upon returning to the inside world, everything felt cozy and beautiful in a way that I hadn't been able to appreciate in the tropical and desert settings of my prior travels. At the same time, it was obvious that eventually the obstinate cold wears on the soul. Newfoundlanders pull no punches in regards to their opinions on the weather. It was the obligatory small talk in any social setting, and it seemed that even though this has always been the case (and always will be), the lifelong residents (of which St. John's has a high percentage) would never make their peace with it. This dynamic is hilariously portrayed in this satirical Newfoundland & Labrador tourism ad (which does genuinely showcase the great sides of downtown St. John's that I saw with fresh eyes).

Though I was encouraged to explore more of the vast island, such as the fjords of the West Coast's Gros Morne National Park, or Labrador's enchanted Torngat Mountain National Park, I was satiated by the immediate attractions around St. John's. For instance, I was able to pick up a section of the 336-kilometer (209-mile) East Coast Trail at Fort Amherst and follow it most of the way to Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site (i.e. the easternmost point on the continent). I thankfully avoided any black bear encounters, but I did see a teenage moose pop out right behind me as I neared the end of Blackhead Road.

Anywhere I couldn't reach on foot, my patient chauffeur, Selina Boland, made sure I saw. We went to the waterfalls of Stiles Cove, the weathered towns of Pouch Cove, the community beach fires and striking viewpoints at Middle Cove, the islands of Tors Cove, the passing icebergs at Ferryland (with an obligatory stop at the appropriately-themed ice cream shop on the way back) – like Tom Hanks in Castaway, the tide seemed to bring in new surprises each day. I realized that there are countless shorelines to visit, hikes to brave, and scenic drives to take just on the Avalon Peninsula alone. No wonder no one bothers to leave this rock.

In St. John's, Music Is Always In The Air

The cultural silver-lining of the remote and capricious environment is that it encourages the St. John's community to come together in song. Any night of the week, at almost every pub along George and Water Street (plus nearby cafes, farmer's markets, and even some traditional house-party sessions), live music can be heard. And because of the Irish heritage (and similar geographical settings), most performers anchor to the folk and Celtic genres. The warmth of the wood and wind instruments blends with the lyrical tragedies of shipwrecks and broken hearts, but also the uplifting swells of sea shanties and late 90's rock covers. This strip really is a paradise for music lovers, and a cabin-fever-busting sanctuary for everyone else.

Selina is an extraordinary local-musician and was kind enough to bring me out to open mics, and even fix us up with a shared gig (amidst her own album launch and upcoming island tour, nonetheless). Between the live music black hole that was the pandemic, and my transition into a world-traveling freelance writer, I hadn't played much in recent years – let alone on a stage. But once a musician, always a musician (in your soul at least) – lack of calluses and intonation be damned! I did my best to eke out a few covers, and then relished my role as an audience member.

For a little taste of the current Newfoundland charts, and stunning drone shots of the surrounding area, check out Selina's latest music video.

Grey Skies Meet Colorful Houses

Another inspiring coping mechanism that Newfies have consistently deployed is painting their houses bright colors to contrast the muted sky. Despite the local propensity for driving everywhere, which leads to a perpetual cab shortage (and no, rideshare companies aren't allowed here), I made a habit of walking as often as I could so as to see all of the different displays. Sometimes the streets looked delightfully random, while other blocks demonstrated neighborly synergy. These playful crayon colorways punch out of the deep blues, greens, and grays that form the natural canvas, just as the bright accents and tenor tunes rise above the sonorous winds and percussive waves.

Each evening, should the clouds decide to part, the parking lot atop Signal Hill National Historic Site fills with locals wishing to bear witness to Canada's first sunset, before heading off to backyard fire pits or preferred watering holes. I like places that have little community rituals – especially when they're anchored to the rhythms of nature. Since Newfoundland is inseparable from the elements, there is no shortage of these amiable expressions. Sure, it's cold a bunch of the time, the cost of living is untenable, and the nation's highest tax rates don't seem to be helping the rising substance abuse and homelessness issues, but hey…that's the kind of stuff you worry about as a citizen of a country, not a nomadic traveler. I think I'll enjoy seeing Canada as a starry-eyed tourist a bit longer.

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The Provincial Government is pleased to welcome Uber, as it launches its ride-sharing service in Newfoundland and Labrador. Starting today, Uber is available for use by residents, businesses and visitors to the province.

In accordance with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act, the province issued a Transportation Network Company (ride-sharing service) licence to Uber earlier this month.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador first announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride sharing in October 2023. Legislative amendments to permit ride-sharing services to operate within the province came into effect on December 21, 2023.

More information about ride-sharing, including how to apply for licences, is available online.

Quotes “As a bucket-list tourist destination, and with a growing reputation as a great place to do business, Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes visitors from around the world. These travellers are used to having a variety of transportation options at their fingertips, and today’s announcement puts us on par with over 10,000 cities around the world where people can hail an Uber.” Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Uber has a great deal of experience with providing this type of service, which people, businesses and municipalities here have been asking for. We made the necessary changes to our legislation and took a provincial approach so ride-sharing operators can do business here. I’m pleased to welcome Uber as the first company to provide this additional option for residents and visitors who need and depend on reliable and safe transportation.” Honourable Sarah Stoodley Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“Just in time for a busy tourism season, we are excited to bring ride-share to Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents and visitors alike now have a safe, affordable and reliable option to help get them where they need to go, when they need to, and for those with a safe driving record, a flexible opportunity to earn money on their own time. We’d like to thank the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for their support of rideshare.” Michael van Hemmen General Manager of Mobility of Uber in Canada

“This is a great day for the Newfoundland and Labrador business community. The introduction of ridesharing in our province was a truly collaborative effort between industry and government, and we are grateful for the province’s support in making this happen. We are pleased to welcome Uber and the opportunities it brings for residents and visitors alike to better support our local economy.” AnnMarie Boudreau CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade

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Learn more Premier Furey Announces Provincial Approach to Ride-sharing

Provincial Government Issues Ride-sharing Licence to Uber

Transportation Network Companies (Ride-sharing Service)