EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning speaks during media day ahead of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 18, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Hockey
Less than 1 min.read

PG’s Jon Cooper reaches 1,000 game milestone as NHL head coach

Brendan Pawliw
By Brendan Pawliw

Longevity and success.

Jon Cooper has had the privilege of experiencing both in his NHL head coaching career with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 58-year-old from Prince George coached his 1,000 game on Wednesday afternoon as the Lightning defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime.

Cooper, who is now the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL going on 12 seasons with Tampa Bay reached the pinnacle winning back-to-back Stanley Cup’s with the Bolts in 2020 and 2021.

In addition, Cooper led Canada to victory during last year’s Four Nations Face-Off. The local product is also the bench boss for Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place in Italy next month.

Cooper has a record of 596-319-86 with the Lightning.

Tampa Bay is currently second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 24-13-3.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing pgnews@vistaradio.ca.

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

PG Mounties say school zone speed watch campaign shows drivers not getting the message

RCMP
Students returned to school last month and so did school zone speed limits, but according to the Prince George RCMP, many drivers are not remembering to slow down in school zones. 

Carrier Lumber under the microscope: Forest Practices Board to begin regional audit

Business
Operations being audited are within approximately 100 kilometres of Prince George, extending from Bear Lake in the north to Penny in the east, Hixon in the south and the Stuart River to the west. The licence has an allowable annual cut of approximately 187,000 cubic metres.

Hartley’s Cat Scan with Jim Playfair – October 13th, 2026

Hartley’s Cat Scan
This is a weekly podcast featuring the ‘who’s who’ of the Prince George Cougars. Hartley’s guest this week is Cougars Associate Coach Jim Playfair.

Eby defends family’s use of $10-a-day childcare program

2026 BC Election
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby is facing criticism after confirming his family benefited from a $10-a-day child care program his government froze to new providers.

Spruce Kings winless in two-game BCHL Showcase

Prince George Spruce Kings
The Prince George Spruce Kings came out empty handed at the BCHL Showcase in Nisku, Alberta, after a 4-1 loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks yesterday (Monday).
- Advertisement -