Bowness, players remember Cole

DENVER — The Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche joined hockey fans around the world Thursday in mourning the passing of the great Bob Cole, one of this country’s most decorated broadcasters whose voice provided a soundtrack to the sport.

“We lost a legend today,” is how Jets coach Rick Bowness put it.

“We lost a wonderful human being. I spent a lot of time with Bob over the years. There’s not necessarily a specific story, but the most important thing is that all the coaches around the league and all the hockey people, they trusted him.

“He was a true pro. You could tell him anything and he called a great game. Very respectful, very professional.”

Bowness, who has been in the NHL in some capacity for nearly 50 years, said there was no shortage of material whenever he crossed paths with Cole.

“I’m from the Maritimes, he was from Newfoundland. He’s not a Maritimer, he was a Newfoundlander,’ Bowness said with a laugh.

“But I always had a great rapport with Bob. I just had nothing but respect for him. The hockey world lost a really good human being today.”

Remembering legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole. Oh baby, what a life

Winnipeg will always have a strong connection with Cole, and he called the second-last game of his career at Canada Life Centre in April 2019 and was given a lengthy standing ovation

“Tonight we are in the presence of greatness,” the PA announcer said at the time.

Plenty of current players grew up listening to Cole, and many cherish the time they got to spend with him at rinks around the league.

“Seeing that this morning, waking up, was pretty disheartening. Real unfortunate,” said Jets forward Tyler Toffoli. “The career he had affected so many people, and so many guys’ careers as well. It’s definitely very emotional. Just a huge part in hockey and affected a lot of people.”

Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, who is from Halifax, met Cole at several charity golf tournaments over the years.

“He’d come out and support Atlantic Canadians. Amazing person, super funny. Just a great guy and obviously some of the best calls of all time, so super sad to hear that,” said MacKinnon.

“Just growing up, I mean, every playoffs, It was unreal. I mean, I was a big Penguins fan and anytime Hockey Night in Canada came on, I loved watching them. I’m from Nova Scotia. So games are pretty late for me. I didn’t see much, but he’s a legend.”

Is Kyle Connor becoming a more complete player before our very eyes?

His coach certainly thinks so.

Known more for his goal-scoring ability than his defensive work, Bowness singled Connor out for praise Thursday in terms of his playoff performance so far.

“I always show backchecking clips and Kyle, I told him the other day, he’s one of our best backchecking forwards we have right now because of his speed,” said Bowness.

“He forces it. When he’s back-checking like that our D have much better gaps because he’s putting a lot of pressure on the puck carrier. So I know he’s doing a great job offensively, but watch what he’s doing defensively – he’s made huge improvements in that area.”

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Business Weekly

Monday mornings

The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week.

Sign up for Business Weekly

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Connor, 27, will never be in the running for a Selke Trophy, to be clear. Bowness was asked if he’s essentially playing a “harder” game right now.

“Yes, he is. Without the puck, he wants it back,” said Bowness. “You watch him on the back-check, the pressure he puts on people that he didn’t do before. He’s become a much better two-way player.”

Connor has two goals and two assists through the first two games of the playoffs, skating on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Sports reporter

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.

   Read full biography