The Tampa Bay Lightning will have Jon Cooper remaining as their bench boss after the team announced that the 51-year-old has signed a multi-year extension.
“I am very pleased to announce Jon’s extension today,” Julien BriseBois, vice president and general manager of the Lighting, said in the team’s news release. “His ability to forge impactful relationships with everyone from players to staff has been a trademark of his tenure with the organization and he is the absolute best coach for our hockey team.”
A native of Prince George, Cooper joined the Lightning as their head coach back in 2013 and currently sits as the NHL’s longest-tenured coach.
BriseBois adds, “Coop’s ability to develop a strong culture while continually adapting has been a big part of the team’s success. He has helped set high standards for our organization with his unrelenting drive for excellence.”
During his time with the Lightning, Cooper has become the franchise’s most winningest coach, posting over 301 wins and only missing the playoffs once in the six years with him at the helm.
The Cooper-led Bolts have eclipsed the 50-win plateau on three occasions during his tenure, including this season as the team has gone on to already take claim to this season’s Presidents’ Trophy as the league’s points leader.
The terms of the new deal were not released by the team.
* number of wins as of March 26, 2019
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