from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

My first game at Hockey Night in Canada was Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 Montreal at Ottawa. The hotel set up a shuttle to take us to morning skate. When I walked outside, Harry Neale was in the back seat. I opened the door to sit next to him.

He told me to sit in the front. Bob (Cole) and I like to sit in the back, he said. We like to discuss the game. You sit up there.

So I did.

Minutes later, Bob walked towards the SUV. He saw me. He frowned and paused. Then, he opened the door. I could hear Harry laughing.

Young man, he said, sternly, I sit in the front seat.

A few years later, we were doing a Montreal/Boston playoff series. After landing at Logan Airport, we grabbed our luggage and went to get a taxi. After loading our bags, I took a half-step towards the front and remembered the rules, immediately going to the back. The adjustment was barely noticeable.

Bob got in the front, and we started driving. Two minutes later, he turned to look at me.

Do you think I didnt notice that you stepped towards the front? I figured by now, you wouldnt forget.

The rest of us started laughing. I thought Id gotten away with it.

As the tributes flow in, many remember with good reason his awesome ability to manoeuvre with the crowd. He is the best ever at riding the waves of a crowds emotion, flowing with it, rising with it, allowing it to be heard. Bob only cared about whistle-to-whistle. That was his time.

continued

When the Wings weren't playing, I was watching HNIC on CBC Channel 9 watching the Laffs with Darryl Sittler and Bjorn Salming.  Mr. Cole's voice is a throwback.  He is one of the greats.