Tampa Bay Lightning Coach Jon Cooper Pays Tribute to Bob Cole, the Voice of Hockey

TAMPA — The loss was tough for the Lightning, but for head coach Jon Cooper, it was a moment to reflect on the man who ignited his passion for hockey. Bob Cole, the legendary voice of “Hockey Night in Canada,” passed away at the age of 90, leaving a void in the hockey world.

Cooper, who grew up in Canada, shared how he fell in love with the game through Cole’s iconic commentary. As a young boy in Prince George, British Columbia, Cooper would imagine playoff series and call the games out loud, mimicking Cole’s style. The voice of Bob Cole became synonymous with hockey for him, shaping his love for the sport.

Despite the Lightning’s recent playoff struggles, Cooper took a moment to pay tribute to Cole during a postgame news conference. He expressed how important Cole’s influence was in his life and how it ultimately led him to a career in coaching in the NHL.

Their paths crossed when Cooper met Cole in a pre-broadcast production meeting, and the two bonded over their shared love of hockey. Cooper fondly recalled a moment when Cole invited him to the broadcast booth in Montreal, a gesture that meant a lot to him.

As Cooper navigates the pressures of coaching in the NHL, he carries with him the lessons and memories instilled by Bob Cole. The impact of a broadcaster on a young boy in Canada has now come full circle, as Cooper aims to inspire a new generation of hockey fans in Tampa Bay.

Despite the loss on the ice, Cooper’s heartfelt tribute to Bob Cole serves as a reminder of the enduring power of the game and the voices that shape our love for it. In a moment of defeat, Cooper found a win in honoring the man who helped him find his passion for hockey.