The Jack Adams Award is presented annually to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success, according to NHL records.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper is the 2026 recipient of the Jack Adams Award.

Bolts officials made the announcement Wednesday, marking Cooper’s first time winning the award after two previous nominations. Other coaches who were finalists for the award included Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Dan Muse and Buffalo Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff.

“IT’S ABOUT TIME,” the team posted on social media. “Jon Cooper is your 2026 Jack Adams Award Winner!”

Cooper received the award while visiting Tampa General Hospital.

 “I’m honestly blown away, I never thought this day would come” Cooper said. “Alright you guys got me.”

Jon Cooper surprised at TGH with the Jack Adams Award https://t.co/OoMJe7NdKc pic.twitter.com/nLTWUH6n5y

— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) June 3, 2026

The Jack Adams Award is presented annually to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success, according to NHL records. It was first awarded in 1973-74 season.

The award is named in honor of the late coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Jack Adams.

Members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association submit ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

Cooper is now the second ever Lightning coach to receive the honor following current Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella, who won in 2004.

In the 2026 season, Cooper led Bolts Nation to a ninth consecutive playoff berth in 2025-26 behind a 50-26-6 record and 106 standings points that tied for fifth in the NHL. This marked the organization’s first 50-win season since 2021-22.

The Lightning also finished among the NHL’s best for wins, goals, goals against, goal differential, road wins, regulation wins, comeback wins, penalty kill percentage and multiple other metrics during an injury-filled campaign.

Cooper also became the second-fastest coach in league history to reach 600 wins with a 5-1 victory on Jan. 12 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

He is the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, having been with the organization since March 2013.