Lightning coach Jon Cooper to miss two games due to passing of his father

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper will step away from the team for its next two games after his father passed away.

The Lighting announced the news on Wednesday morning.

Tampa Bay is set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night before visiting the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Cooper, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has led the Lightning to the top of the Atlantic Division with a 37-14-4 record this season.

He served as Team Canada’s head coach at the Winter Olympics earlier this month, earning a silver medal.

The 58-year-old from Prince George, B.C., has served as Tampa Bay’s head coach for 13 seasons, guiding the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 11 times.

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