The essentials
Jon Cooper wins Jack Adams Award after 14 seasons building Tampa Bay's nine-year playoff streak.
Jon Cooper earned the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year, recognizing his sustained excellence with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The honor marks the first Jack Adams Award for a Lightning coach since John Tortorella in 2004, spanning a 22-year gap in individual recognition for the franchise's coaching staff.
Cooper's achievement comes on the heels of another milestone: reaching 600 career wins in 1,005 games, cementing his place among the league's most accomplished coaches. Over 14 seasons with Tampa Bay, he has compiled a .639 points percentage and guided the Lightning to nine consecutive playoff berths.
The 2025-26 season showcased strong individual performances that supported the team's competitive standing. Nikita Kucherov produced 130 points across 76 games, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 39 wins. Despite these efforts, the Lightning's playoff run ended in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens, limiting their championship aspirations despite their regular-season accomplishments.
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Cooper's Sustained Excellence Recognized After Two Decades
Cooper's Jack Adams Award validates 14 seasons of consistent performance with Tampa Bay, marked by a .639 points percentage. The 600-win milestone underscores his longevity and adaptability across different eras of the sport. Nine consecutive playoff berths represent organizational stability rarely achieved in professional hockey, positioning Cooper among the league's elite coaching architects.
Award Reflects Strong Season Despite Playoff Exit
The 2025-26 season demonstrated exceptional player performance—Kucherov's 130 points and Vasilevskiy's 39 wins supported playoff positioning. However, the first-round loss to Montreal represents an early departure from championship contention, creating a mixed narrative: individual and team success in the regular season countered by playoff disappointment.