Matt Cooke
Former NHL pest and Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh in 2009.
Matthew David Cooke (born September 7, 1978) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former professional player. He is the current head coach and general manager of the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Cooke played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Cooke won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. He also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Minnesota Wild. Cooke was born in Belleville, Ontario, but grew up in Stirling, Ontario. He served as head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers for the 2022–23 season.
Quick Facts
- Draft
- 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Vancouver Canucks
Lore & Background
Cooke's playing style earned him the reputation as one of the NHL's 'pests'. During his NHL career, Cooke was criticized and often suspended for hits, some involving head-shots, or knee-on-knee collisions that have injured opposing players. Most notable was a hit to the head of Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins in March 2010, which was an important factor influencing NHL rule changes intended to deter such conduct. After his longest suspension in March 2011 for a hit to the head of Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers, Cooke pledged to change his style of play, although he had another lengthy suspension in April 2014 during the first round of the 2014 playoffs for a knee-on-knee hit delivered to Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche.
Reader's Guide
Cooke played junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for three seasons, predominantly with the Windsor Spitfires, prior to playing professionally. He was drafted 144th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1997 NHL entry draft. He played for the Canucks, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota Wild. He never played for the Los Angeles Kings.
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