Legendary play-by-play NHL announcer Bob Cole died Wednesday at the age of 90, his daughter told CBC News' John Gushue.

Cole had been a mainstay on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for five decades. The Newfoundland native was the network's lead NHL commentator from 1980-2008.

He frequently worked Toronto Maple Leafs games, including his final broadcast in February 2019 between the Buds and Montreal Canadiens.

Cole was also behind the mic for some notable international hockey events. He called the 1998 Olympics, which was the first Games to feature NHL players.

Cole was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting excellence.

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Legendary play-by-play NHL announcer Bob Cole died Wednesday at the age of 90, his daughter told CBC News' John Gushue.

Cole had been a mainstay on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for five decades. The Newfoundland native was the network's lead NHL commentator from 1980-2008.

He frequently worked Toronto Maple Leafs games, including his final broadcast in February 2019 between the Buds and Montreal Canadiens.

Cole was also behind the mic for some notable international hockey events. He called the 1998 Olympics, which was the first Games to feature NHL players.

Cole was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting excellence.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Legendary play-by-play NHL announcer Bob Cole died Wednesday at the age of 90, his daughter told CBC News' John Gushue.

Cole had been a mainstay on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for five decades. The Newfoundland native was the network's lead NHL commentator from 1980-2008.

He frequently worked Toronto Maple Leafs games, including his final broadcast in February 2019 between the Buds and Montreal Canadiens.

Cole was also behind the mic for some notable international hockey events. He called the 1998 Olympics, which was the first Games to feature NHL players.

"Bob Cole's voice was the iconic and incomparable soundtrack of hockey across Canada for more than 50 years," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

"From countless winter Saturday nights on Hockey Night in Canada to the 1972 Summit Series to multiple Olympic Games to dozens of Stanley Cup Finals, his distinctive, infectious play-by-play made every game he called sound bigger."

Cole was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting excellence.

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The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Jason Dickinson to a three-year contract carrying an average annual value of $2.65 million, the team announced Saturday.

Vancouver acquired Dickinson from the Dallas Stars in July in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick. The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent and set for an arbitration hearing on Aug. 20.

"Jason was an important addition for our forward group this summer, and we're pleased to have agreed to terms with him on a three-year deal," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. "He's a versatile player that can play on both the wing and at center and is also a strong penalty killer."

Dickinson registered seven goals and eight assists in 51 games last season. He also ranked sixth among Stars skaters in both hits (78) and blocked shots (49).

Dallas selected Dickinson 29th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft.

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Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews will miss at least six weeks after undergoing wrist surgery, the team announced Friday.

Matthews experienced discomfort during his on-ice training earlier this week and opted for surgery after consulting with specialists and the team's medical staff.

The 23-year-old center dealt with wrist issues throughout the 2020-21 season.

Toronto opens training camp Sept. 22 and is scheduled to kick off its preseason campaign three days later at Scotiabank Arena against the Montreal Canadiens.

Matthews is coming off another stellar season. He notched a league-leading 41 goals to become the first Maple Leafs player to capture the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

The three-time All-Star was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.

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Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE), the ownership group of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, announced Monday it is pledging $20 million over the next five years to combat systemic racism, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

HSBE's company-wide plan includes a $10-million donation from the Sixers to the NBA and National Basketball Players Association's newly launched joint foundation. The foundation is intended to "drive economic empowerment for Black communities through employment and career advancement."

"Looking at things from my perspective as a Black man in America, as an executive for HBSE, I really wanted to have action and more than just words. And that is what really excites me about this," Sixers general manager Elton Brand told Spears. "They were not just allies. They were going to another level in terms of being part of actual change."

HSBE is also creating a program through which the Sixers and Devils will provide more than $5 million in marketing assets to Black-owned businesses.

"While we will never be able to correct the past harm and injustice faced by Black Americans, it's our duty to provide resources that enable tangible action and greater opportunities for equality," HBSE founder Josh Harris said in a statement, according to Kennedy Rose of the Philadelphia Business Journal.

"We are committing to a fundamental change in our business strategy by embedding our organization with Black communities and businesses through significant and sustained investment and support."

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Brian Boyle signed a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers, the team announced Sunday.

The 34-year-old had conversations with multiple teams, but it's believed his preferred destination was Florida, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Boyle's deal will carry a cap hit of less than $1 million, adds McKenzie.

"With over 700 games played in the NHL and over 100 more in the playoffs, Brian brings a wealth of experience to our club," said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Dale Tallon. "He adds versatility and character to our lineup."

Boyle split last season between the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators, scoring 18 goals and amassing 24 points across 73 games.

The veteran center has been a reliable faceoff man throughout his career, winning 50.2% of his draws.

Boyle was the 2018 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after his comeback from chronic myeloid leukemia.

He was selected 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Draft.

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