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Injuries Be Damned: Cooper Earns Coveted Coaching Award
3 Jun
Summary
- Jon Cooper received the NHL's coach of the year award for the first time.
- He led a Tampa Bay team hit hard by injuries to 106 points.
- Cooper previously finished runner-up for the award twice.
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper has been awarded the Jack Adams Award, recognizing him as the NHL's coach of the year. This significant achievement marks the first time the 58-year-old coach has received this honor.
Cooper, the league's longest-tenured head coach, has led the Lightning since 2013. During his tenure, he has guided the team to multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances, securing championships in 2020 and 2021. This past season, Cooper successfully navigated the team through extensive injuries, particularly on defense, leading them to a 50-26-6 record and 106 points.
He surpassed Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres and Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the award. Ruff's Sabres won their division, and Muse's Penguins unexpectedly made the playoffs.
