Cooper steps away from the team after a huge personal loss when he gets back from Milan.
Jon Cooper has had a tough week emotionally. The coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning led Team Canada to the Olympic gold medal game but lost to the United States on Sunday. Now, he is facing a much deeper personal sadness.
The Lightning announced that Cooper will not be coaching tonight’s game or tomorrow’s because he needs to take some time off for a family issue. The reason for this is that his father, Robert Cooper, has passed away.
It is not clear when Robert died or what caused his death since the team and family have not shared any details right away.
Cooper’s absence comes just days after the tough loss for the Olympic gold medal, where he had to watch his captain Sidney Crosby be out due to an injury. Now, back in Tampa, the Lightning team and their fans are supporting him as he goes through this hard time.
The Lightning plan to continue running the team over the next two games without their head coach, relying on assistant coaches and team leaders to keep everyone on track while Cooper is with his family.
This situation reminds us that sports are not just about winning; life’s difficult moments happen even when you’re chasing championships.
From Tampa Bay to Milan and back again, Cooper has shown strong spirit, but right now, his attention is where it matters most: with his family.
We send our heartfelt sympathy to Jon Cooper and his family during this sad time.
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