The NHL’s longest-tenured coach’s stay just got a little bit longer.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed head coach Jon Cooper to a multi-year contract extension, General Manager Julien Brisebois announced this morning.
Universally Loved
Dubbed “Coop” by Bolts faithful, Cooper holds an impressive .643 points percentage in more than six seasons. That’s fourth all-time among coaches with a 100+ game resume. The Bolts hold a 301-157-44 record in that span. No team has amassed more wins, standings points, or goals since his reign began.
Cooper took over duties from Guy Boucher six years ago yesterday (March 25). He has not only enjoyed incredible success behind the bench, but more importantly in Brisebois’s eyes, within the organization and in the neighbourhood.” I would like to thank Coop and his family for their continuous commitment to the organization, as well as to the Tampa Bay community,” Brisebois told local media. “I look forward to working in partnership with Jon for years to come.”
Wishlist? Near Complete
The Prince George, British Columbia native just recently captured the franchise’s first President’s Trophy. With five games to play in the season, Tampa Bay is rolling. They’re just ten points away from capturing the most points in a season in NHL history. Four wins out of their last five would secure the most wins.
Yet, this season, Cooper hopes to check the Stanley Cup off his list of accolades. In 2014, he was nominated as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, handed out to the season’s top coach. In late March of this year, Cooper became just the 49th coach in league history to reach the 300-win mark. He’s the second fastest to do so, only to Bruce Boudreau. It took him only 500 regular season contests.
Getting the Call-Up
The lack of NHL hardware on Cooper’s mantle hasn’t been for a lack of effort. The Lightning have played the second-most postseason games since 2014. They rank the same in playoff victories.
That being said, there was no doubt in Brisebois’s mind that the former Calder Cup champ and AHL’s top coach in 2012 with the then-Lightning-affiliate Norfolk Admirals is the right man for the job. “His ability to forge impactful relationships with everyone from players to staff has been a trademark of his tenure with the organization,” Brisebois told reporters. “He is the absolute best coach for our hockey team.”
Cooper’s Admirals set a North American Sports record with 28 consecutive wins that season. That success has translated into the big leagues. Cooper has cemented himself as a Lightning legend. He is already the winningest coach in team history, with 302 victories.
More to Come
The Lightning are the only team in the league to appear in three of the previous four conference finals. Cooper has one career Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Come June, he’d sure like to make it two, and change the ending.
With the extension out of the way and home ice clinched, it’s eyes on the prize.
