Jon Cooper Earns NHL’s Jack Adams Award for Coaching Excellence

Jon Cooper, who previously coached at Lansing Catholic Central High School during the 1999-2000 season, has been honored with the 2026 Jack Adams Award, recognizing him as the top coach in the NHL. Under his guidance, the Tampa Bay Lightning achieved an impressive 50-26-6 record, securing 106 points and a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division, while also tying for fifth place overall in the league.

The Lightning excelled in various performance metrics, ranking among the best in the NHL for goals scored, goals allowed, goal differential, road wins, regulation wins, comeback victories, and penalty-kill percentage. At 58 years old, Cooper receives this prestigious award for the first time, having been nominated three times previously. He joins John Tortorella, who won the award in 2004, as just the second coach in Lightning history to achieve this honor. Other finalists for the award included Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres.

Cooper’s coaching journey began in the Lansing area while he was attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He was asked by Michigan District Court judge Thomas Brennan Jr. to take over his son’s team at Lansing Catholic Central. Cooper, who had no prior coaching experience and was working as a lawyer on a court-appointed basis for a modest salary, accepted the challenge. He successfully led the Cougars to their first regional hockey championship in 25 years, clinching the title with a thrilling overtime goal by Jeff Swan against Mattawan in the Division III final.

This recognition highlights Cooper’s remarkable evolution from a high school coach to a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Lightning, showcasing his significant impact on the sport and the players he has guided throughout his career.