Matt Cooke
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Matt Cooke | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born |
Belleville, Ontario, Canada | September 7, 1978|||||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | |||||
Weight | 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb) | |||||
Position | Left wing | |||||
Played for |
Vancouver Canucks Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota Wild | |||||
Current ECHL coach | Newfoundland Growlers | |||||
National team |
NHL Draft | 144th overall, | ||||
Playing career | 1998–2015 |
Matthew David Cooke (born September 7, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played sixteen seasons and 1046 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Cooke won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2008–09 NHL season and was a member of the Team Canada team that won the gold medal at the 2004 World Championships. In addition to having played for the Penguins, he also played in the NHL with 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 2023/24 season.
Cooke's playing style earned him the reputation as one of the NHL's "pests".[2][3] 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, which was an important factor influencing NHL rule changes intended to deter such conduct. After his longest suspension in 2011 for a hit to the head of Ryan McDonagh, Cooke pledged to change his style of play, although he had another lengthy suspension in the 2014 playoffs for a knee-on-knee hit delivered to Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche.
Playing career
As a youth, Cooke played in the 1992 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Quinte minor ice hockey team from Belleville, Ontario.[4]
Cooke played
Vancouver Canucks
Splitting the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons between the Canucks and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, Cooke would play for the Canucks full-time in 2000–01.[citation needed]
Typically playing in the role of a checking winger, Cooke recorded a career-high 42 points in 2002–03 and earned the Fred J. Hume Award as the team's unsung hero.[5] Continuing to show offensive capabilities, after returning from an injury in 2003–04, he was promoted to the Canucks' top line towards the end of the season. On account of Todd Bertuzzi's infamous suspension, Cooke joined Markus Näslund and Brendan Morrison on the Canucks' top line for the final 13 games of the season and the playoffs.[6]
Perhaps Cooke's most memorable moment with the Canucks occurred during this stint on the first line as the Canucks entered the
After a year of inactivity on account of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Cooke would play two more full seasons with the Canucks, scoring at a similar pace. With Cooke's contract set to expire at the end of the 2007–08 season, he was sent to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Matt Pettinger at the trade deadline. The trade ended Cooke's tenure with the Canucks in his ninth season with the club. At the time of the trade, he was 12th all-time in games played as a Canuck with 556.[8]
Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins
Finishing the 2007–08 season, Cooke would play 17 games with the Capitals, scoring seven points. In the off-season, on July 5, 2008, Cooke signed a two-year, $2.4-million contract with the
Cooke set a new career high during the
Minnesota Wild
Following his contract expiry with the Pittsburgh Penguins, on July 5, 2013, Cooke signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the
With Minnesota up against the Salary cap and suffering an injury plagued 2014–15 season, having appeared in just 29 regular season games, Cooke was placed on waivers in order to buy-out the final year of his three-year contract with the Wild on June 19, 2015.[14]
Criticism and suspensions
During his career, Cooke has been criticized by the media, league, fans, and team executives, and other players for his hitting in ways more likely to cause injury such as hits to the head or hits to an opponent's knee.
In the 2008–09 season, with the Penguins, Cooke was suspended on two different occasions. In November, he received a two-game suspension for a check to the head of the New York Rangers' Artem Anisimov. In January 2009, he received another two-game suspension for a hit to the head of Scott Walker of the Carolina Hurricanes.[18]
On March 7, 2010, in a game against the
On February 9, 2011, Cooke was given a four-game suspension for a hit from behind on Columbus Blue Jackets' defenceman Fedor Tyutin.[25] On March 21, Cooke was suspended for the final ten games of the Penguins' regular season schedule, as well as the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, stemming from an elbow to the head of New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh. The suspension was the longest of Cooke's career and was supported by the Penguins. Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said in a statement that the hit was "exactly the kind of hit we're trying to get out of the game," and that Penguins officials had told Cooke "in no uncertain terms" that such play was "unacceptable."[26] Speaking to two Pittsburgh newspapers the day after the incident, Cooke apologized for the hit. "I realize and understand, more so now than ever, that I need to change," Cooke said.[27]
"Changing" his game
With the suspension and then Pittsburgh's early elimination from the playoffs, Cooke had a considerable amount of free time. He spent much of the time with Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma reviewing each of his hits to learn how to change his game to hit within the rules. Cooke said, "The way I played before was to get the biggest hit possible every time no matter what," and that now in "certain situations, I just approach differently. I try to get the puck more than I did before." Well into the 2011–12 season, teammate Craig Adams said of Cooke's play, "I've noticed over the last month or so, he's been feeling more comfortable being physical again, obviously, within the rules. That was a big part of his game."[28] At season's end, he had scored a career-high 19 goals and posted only 44 penalty minutes, his lowest career total in a full NHL season.[29]
In February 2013, Cooke was involved in an incident with the Ottawa Senators in which Erik Karlsson's achilles tendon was cut by Cooke's skate as the two made contact along the boards. While Senators owner Eugene Melnyk was outraged by the incident, stating, "To have him (Karlsson) taken out by a goon is unconscionable," league officials determined there would be no supplemental discipline for Cooke.[30][31][32]
On April 21, 2014, during Game 3 of the first round of the 2014 playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche, Cooke, playing for the Minnesota Wild, delivered a knee-on-knee check to Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie. Barrie did not return to the game and it was announced that he would miss four-to-six weeks as a result of the Cooke check. After an in-person hearing with the Department of Player Safety, Cooke was suspended for seven games for his conduct. As per the stipulations governing suspensions during the playoffs, Cooke did not suffer any loss of income.[33]
Coaching career
On October 7, 2023, Cooke was hired as the head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL. He remaind in that position until the Growlers organization were forced to cease operations on April 2, 2024.[34]
International play
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Canada | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Championships
| ||
2004 Czech Republic |
Cooke made his first international appearance, playing for the
Personal life
Cooke and his wife Michelle, whom he married in 2001, have three children; a daughter, a son, and a stepdaughter.[35] Cooke and Michelle ran a foundation called The Cooke Family Foundation of Hope,[36] based out of Vancouver. It was dissolved in 2016.
Awards
- Fred J. Hume Award (Vancouver Canucks' unsung hero) – 2003
- Gold medal (2004 World Championships
- Stanley Cup – 2009
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Regular season
|
Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
1994–95 | Wellington Dukes | MetJHL | 46 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1995–96 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 61 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 102 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
1996–97 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 65 | 45 | 50 | 95 | 146 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | ||
1997–98 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 23 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1997–98 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 25 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 49 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 20 | ||
1998–99 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1998–99 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 37 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1999–2000 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 51 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1999–2000 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 18 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2000–01 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 81 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 94 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
2001–02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 111 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
2002–03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 15 | 27 | 42 | 82 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | ||
2003–04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 53 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 73 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | ||
2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 45 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2006–07 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 81 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
2007–08 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 61 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2007–08 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 17 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
2008–09 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 76 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 101 | 24 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 22 | ||
2009–10 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 79 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 106 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 22 | ||
2010–11 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 67 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 129 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 82 | 19 | 19 | 38 | 44 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | ||
2012–13 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 48 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 36 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 35 | ||
2013–14 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 54 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||
2014–15 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 29 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
NHL totals | 1,046 | 167 | 231 | 398 | 1,135 | 110 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 141 |
International
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Canada | WJC
|
8th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
2004 | Canada
|
WC
|
9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
Junior totals | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||||
Senior totals | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
References
- ^ a b "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". National Hockey League.
- ^ Graff, Chad (November 7, 2013). "Minnesota Wild: Matt Cooke has changed his game, but he's still a pest". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ Colligan, Mike (March 21, 2011). "Matt Cooke Suspended 14-17 Games; the End of the 'NHL Pest'?". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
- ^ "Canucks lose Northwest, now face Blues". CBC Sports. April 6, 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
- ^ "Canucks sign Cooke to 3-year contract". USA Today. September 21, 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
- ^ "Calgary vs. Vancouver". USA Today. April 19, 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
- ^ "Canuck Career Leaders". Retrieved May 30, 2008.
- ^ Molinari, Dave (July 5, 2008). "Penguins sign forward to replace Ruutu". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
- ^ Kasen, Sam (October 25, 2008). "Penguins Report: Cooke Returns". PittsburghPenguins.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
- ^ "Cooke suspended for illegal check". Pittsburgh Penguins. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
- ^ "Sens' year ends as Dupuis caps comeback in OT to propel Pens into 2nd round". espn.com. April 24, 2010.
- ^ "Penguins Sign Forward Matt Cooke To A Three-Year Contract". penguins.nhl.com. June 22, 2010.
- Minnesota Star Tribune. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^ a b Condor, Bob (March 25, 2010). "Bettman on rule's effect on play, injury prevention". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ a b "Rule prohibiting lateral, back-pressure or blind-side hit to head will take effect". National Hockey League. March 25, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ "Colin Campbell Critical Of Marc Savard After Matt Cooke Hit In 2010". March 30, 2016.
- ^ "NHL decides not to punish Penguins' Matt Cooke". Sporting News. March 10, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ Buckley, Steve (March 19, 2010). "Matt Cooke, Penguins laugh it off". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
- ^ a b c Gordon, Sean; Maki, Allan (March 12, 2010). "A black eye for hockey". Globe and Mail.
- ^ "Penguins' Bill Guerin sides with Bruins". Boston Herald. March 11, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ Stubbs, Dave (March 13, 2010). "Bruins' anger simmering to a slow boil". National Post. Toronto. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ Harris, Stephen (March 14, 2010). "Colin Campbell's act appalling". Boston Herald.
- ^ Farber, Michael, "The Public Enemy", Sports Illustrated, 14 March 2011, pp. 52-55.
- ^ "Pens' Cooke suspended again". Toronto Sun. February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ "PENGUINS' COOKE SUSPENDED FOR SEASON, ROUND 1 OF PLAYOFFS". TSN. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
- ^ "Pens' Cooke says he needs to change way he plays". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ JAMES MIRTLE (January 31, 2012). "Less spice in Matt Cooke's new recipe". Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ^ Hooks Orpik (May 31, 2012). "Season in Review: Matt Cooke". SB Nation. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
- ^ Cox, Damien (February 13, 2013). "Matt Cooke won't be suspended for hit on Erik Karlsson". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Erik Karlsson needs Achilles surgery". ESPN. February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Sens' Melnyk outraged, says Cooke doesn't belong in NHL". The Sports Network. February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Wild's Cooke suspended seven games for kneeing". NHL. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Growlers name Matt Cooke Head Coach, Adam Pardy Development Coach". Newfoundland Growlers. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Marx, Jesse (October 2, 2013). "Matt Cooke: The soul of an agitator". citypages.com. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "The Cooke Family Foundation of Hope". Archived from the original on August 4, 2009.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database