Lightning coach wins Jack Adams Award after 14 seasons

Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning received the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. Cooper, 58, completed his 14th season as the team's head coach. The Lightning finished third in the Eastern Conference with 106 points despite missing defensemen Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh along with center Brayden Point for significant stretches.

Tampa Bay reached the playoffs for the ninth straight year before losing in the first round to the Montreal Canadiens.

Other finalists and voting 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 is the second Lightning coach to win the Jack Adams, following John Tortorella in 2004. This was Cooper's third time as a finalist.

Career record Cooper has won the Stanley Cup twice with Tampa Bay and reached two other Finals. 639 and seventh in career wins with 622. He reached 600 wins in January with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Cooper also served as head coach of Canada's Olympic silver-medal men's team 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 families.