Matt Cooke’s New Role in BCHL
Matt Cooke, known for his tenure as a forward with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has stepped into a new role for the upcoming 2024-25 season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Recently, the Vernon Vipers made headlines on July 18 by naming Cooke their new general manager and head coach. This exciting announcement has attracted attention within the hockey community, particularly as Cooke’s career is marked by significant achievements in the NHL.
Career Highlights
Cooke’s hockey career spans 16 seasons, during which he donned the jerseys of several teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and most notably, the Pittsburgh Penguins. His time in Pittsburgh was particularly highlighted by his contribution to the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2009. Over the course of his NHL journey, he played in more than 1,000 games, tallying 167 goals and a total of 398 points, while also showcasing his performance in the playoffs with 110 appearances that yielded 13 goals and 38 points.
The pinnacle of his personal performance came during the 2011-12 season, where he achieved 19 goals and registered 38 points during the regular season.
Transition to Coaching
Transitioning from player to coach, Cooke took on the responsibility of coaching the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers in the 2023-24 season before taking on his current leadership role with the Vipers. The announcement indicated that both Cooke and Vipers owner Tom Glen were enthusiastic about this new partnership, which is expected to bring fresh energy and strategic vision to the team.
Stay Updated
Fans of the Penguins and followers of Cooke’s career are encouraged to keep updated with developments via the latest news coverage.
