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Jon Cooper

Jon Cooper is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey coach and the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jon Cooper is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey coach and the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in 1967 in Prince George, British Columbia, he has been the Lightning’s head coach since 2013 and won Stanley Cups with the team in 2020 and 2021.

Early life and playing background

Cooper was born in Prince George, British Columbia, and played hockey at the high-school level in Saskatchewan. Sources describe him as a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.

Coaching career

He began coaching in the late 1990s and moved through junior and AHL jobs before joining the Lightning organization, first with the AHL affiliate and then as NHL head coach in 2013.

Success with Tampa Bay

Under Cooper, the Lightning became a perennial contender and reached multiple Stanley Cup Finals, winning championships in 2020 and 2021.

International coaching

Cooper has also been selected to lead Canada internationally, including at the 4 Nations Face-Off and in preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Key facts

  • Jon Cooper has been head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning since March 2013.
  • He won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021.
  • Born in Prince George, British Columbia, on August 23, 1967.
  • He is the longest-tenured coach in the NHL.
  • Cooper has been appointed to coach Canada’s men’s team for major international tournaments.
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Canadian context

Cooper was born in Prince George, British Columbia, is Canadian-American, and has coached Canada’s men’s team in international competition.[4][8][12]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jon Cooper?
Jon Cooper is a Canadian-American ice hockey coach and the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL.
How old is Jon Cooper?
He was born on August 23, 1967, which makes him 58 years old as of 2026.
What team does Jon Cooper coach?
He coaches the Tampa Bay Lightning.
How many Stanley Cups has Jon Cooper won?
He has won two Stanley Cups as a head coach, in 2020 and 2021 with Tampa Bay.
Where did Jon Cooper play hockey?
The available sources do not identify a notable professional playing career; they say he played high school hockey in Saskatchewan and later focused on coaching.
What is Jon Cooper's coaching style?
Sources describe him as meticulous, strategic, and tactically intelligent, with a careful choice of words and a game approach built on structure and planning.

References

  1. The Hockey Writers — https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/jon-cooper/
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, NHL head coach of Tampa Bay Lightning, Stanley Cup in 2020, longest-tenured NHL coach.
  2. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/jon-cooper-on-coaching-team-canada-in-4-nations-faceoff
    Supports: Canadian roots, coaching timeline, age reference, Stanley Cup titles, Team Canada coaching role.
  3. USA Hockey — https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/774423-usa-hockey-experience-propels-jon-cooper-up-through-coaching-ranks
    Supports: Dual citizen status, high school hockey in Saskatchewan, coaching background.
  4. NHL.com / Tampa Bay Lightning — https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/a-wild-adventure-coach-jon-cooper-hits-1-000-nhl-games-with-lightning
    Supports: Hiring timeline, AHL to NHL progression, career wins, one-franchise tenure.
  5. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-coach-jon-cooper-olympic-mens-hockey-milan-cortina-winter-games/
    Supports: Coaching style described as meticulous and strategic, international coaching role.
  6. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/366/jon-cooper
    Supports: Date of birth, birthplace, age, nationality, coaching appointment details.