Bob Cole is looking forward to sitting back and watching both the Masters and the world men’s curling championship this weekend.
And, as always, some hockey.
But on Sunday, the retired hockey announcer will be front and centre when he receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards show. The award is presented “for an exceptional lifetime of work that has had a profound impact on the media industry at home or abroad.”
In typical Cole fashion, the honour was unexpected.
“I was absolutely floored. I couldn’t believe it, really,” he said in an interview from his home in St. John’s, N.L.
His first thought was why?
“There’s lots of people that can be recognized for this. But I guess they have a committee and they chose me,” he added with a chuckle. “I’m very grateful and humbled, of course. My family’s pretty proud, I think.”
For many Canadians, Cole’s voice was the ideal soundtrack for hockey.
WATCH | Bob Cole honoured for legendary career:
Hip Check: Bob Cole honoured for 50 years of broadcasting
The Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to Bob Cole, the legendary Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play voice, during his final broadcast. 1:14
His broadcasting career started in St. John’s as an announcer for radio station VOCM. Cole joined the CBC in 1969 as radio play-by-play announcer for Hockey Night in Canada before transitioning to TV in 1973.
He called his last game on April 6, 2019, fittingly a classic Original Six matchup with the Maple Leafs at the Canadiens.
“That was the guy you grew up listening to,” Leafs captain John Tavares said of Cole at the time. “He made the game even more special than what it was. He brought you into the game, to be a part of it.”
“His voice is iconic. It’s all I associated with watching hockey growing up. He has a close spot in a lot of Canadians’ hearts over the years,” added Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.
Cole meets with Canadiens…
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