Lightning coach Cooper wins Jack Adams Award

Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. Cooper, 58, finished his 14th NHL season as head coach of the Lightning. He led the team to third place in the Eastern Conference with 106 points despite absences among key players including defensemen Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh and center Brayden Point.

The Lightning secured a ninth consecutive playoff appearance before losing in the first round to the Montreal Canadiens.

finalists Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres and first-year coach Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins were the other finalists. Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association vote on the award. Cooper received 226 points including 36 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Ruff who had 223 points and 26 first-place votes.

This was his third time as a finalist. He has won the Stanley Cup twice with the Lightning and reached two other Finals. 639 and seventh in wins with 622. He reached 600 wins in January with a 5-1 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Cooper also served as head coach of the Canadian men's national team that won silver at the Olympics this year.

The award was presented at an event at Tampa General Hospital for the Coop's Catch for Kids lounge supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families.