By Canadian Press

Lightning reward head coach Jon Cooper with multi-year contract extension

Mar 26, 2019 | 3:09 PM

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed head coach Jon Cooper to a multi-year contract extension, the club announced Tuesday.

A native of Prince George, B.C., Cooper has been behind the Tampa bench since March 2013 and is currently the longest-tenured coach in the NHL.

Cooper’s record with the Lightning stands at 301-157-44. He’s led the club to the Eastern Conference final three times, including a trip to the Stanley Cup in 2015.

Tampa claimed the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s best regular-season record earlier this month.

Crime

Man, 23, sent to hospital after weekend shooting

38m ago

Nursing education

New early admission option to help alleviate tight timeline for nursing students

1h ago

On the ice

Weekend rink report: Mintos split in Southern Sask., Northern Bears swept by Regina

15h ago

The Lightning, who sit with a record of 59-14-3, are also within striking distance of the league’s single-season wins mark of 62 set by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings.

“(Cooper’s) ability to forge impactful relationships with everyone from players to staff has been a trademark of his tenure with the organization,” Tampa general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement. “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.”

The Canadian Press