Lightning sign Cooper to 3-year extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning have rewarded head coach Jon Cooper with a three-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season, the team announced Monday.

"Unequivocally, Coop is the best person for the job," general manager Julien BriseBois said. "He is a great leader, spokesperson, and ambassador for our organization. We are lucky to have him as our head coach, and I very much look forward to our continued partnership."

Cooper is the longest-tenured head coach in the league, as he's been at the helm since the 2012-13 campaign. He's led the team to two division titles, three Stanley Cup Final appearances, and two championships.

"It has been a tremendous honor to be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past eight-plus seasons and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to build on what we have here," Cooper said. "My family and I love the organization and being a part of the Tampa Bay community, it is our home."

Prior to his promotion to the Lightning, Cooper served as the head coach of the organization's AHL squad, the Syracuse Crunch (and previously the Norfolk Admirals). He guided the Admirals to a Calder Cup title in 2011-12.

Cooper's reputation in league circles is sterling, as the Prince George, British Columbia, native was named the head coach of Canada's men's team for the 2022 Olympics.

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