As the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up to hit the ice again post-Olympics, they'll be doing so without their renowned leader, Jon Cooper. The two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach, fresh off leading Team Canada to a silver medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics, will miss the first two games following the NHL restart.
The reason? Cooper is taking time away due to the passing of his father, Bob.
This absence comes at a significant moment for the Lightning as they face the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes in back-to-back matchups. The team announced Cooper's absence on Wednesday morning, expressing their support for him during this difficult time.
Cooper’s father, Bob, hailed from Prince George, British Columbia, where he founded a construction company the same year Jon was born. Bob's pride in his roots was evident, and he passed this love for their hometown onto Jon. Bob was also an ardent Maple Leafs fan, adding an interesting layer to the Lightning's playoff battles against Toronto over the years.
Jon Cooper has often spoken fondly of his father’s influence, even sharing a light-hearted moment about his dad’s loyalty during Tampa Bay's playoff series against the Leafs. Despite the familial ties to Toronto, Bob's support for his son's team was unwavering.
As Cooper steps away to be with family, the Lightning community rallies around him, offering thoughts and condolences. His presence will be missed behind the bench, but his influence and leadership continue to resonate with the team.