The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without their head coach, Jon Cooper, for a couple of games after the Olympic break. He’s taking a personal leave following the passing of his father, as reported by NHL.com’s Benjamin Pierce. Cooper recently led Team Canada to a Silver medal in Milan, Italy, where he spent the last three weeks coaching.
The championship game between the USA and Canada mirrored their showdown at the 2025 4-Nations Face-Off, going into overtime. This time, New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes secured the Gold for the USA, while Connor McDavid had previously clinched the win for Canada in the 4-Nations tournament.
Cooper voiced his concerns about the Olympic format’s 3v3 overtime, arguing it strays from traditional hockey. The format was a recent change, replacing the previous 4v4 setup used by the IIHF. In the NHL, the 4-Nation tournament maintained the 5v5 overtime format.
Despite the heartache, Cooper’s leadership brought home a medal. Under his guidance, the Lightning have consistently excelled, making the playoffs in 11 of the last 12 seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice in 2020 and 2021. They currently lead the NHL’s Atlantic Division, placing them in a strong position for continued playoff success.
Assistant coach Jeff Halpern previously filled in for Cooper during a brief leave in the 2021 COVID season and may step up again. As of now, Tampa Bay has not officially announced a short-term head coach.
For more on hockey leadership and team dynamics, you can check out this insightful study on coaching impact in sports from the National Institutes of Health. It highlights how effective coaching can influence team performance and player morale, making Cooper’s absence significant during this crucial time for the Lightning.
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