Controversial Former Vancouver Canucks Forward & Stanley Cup Champion Lands New Job in Hockey
A former Vancouver Canucks fan favourite and a Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins has landed himself a new job in hockey next season.
At the end of their careers, professional hockey players have plenty of options in front of them to remain in the game they've loved their entire life, whether it be in player development, scouting, management or even coaching.
Earlier this summer we saw former Vancouver Canucks forward Nick Bonino announce his retirement from professional hockey in order to take on a coaching role with the Pittsburgh Penguins, reuniting him with one of his old clubs.
Late this week, another former Vancouver Canucks forward, who already has some experience in the coaching side of things, land a new gig in hockey that'll bring him back to British Columbia.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward lands new job in hockey in British Columbia
Former Vancouver Canucks forward and 2009 Stanley Cup champion Matt Cooke was beloved by fans of teams he suited up for and hated by those who he played against and many never would've imagined him taking on a coaching role in his retirement.
Shortly after announcing his retirement ten years ago, Cooke served as an assistant coach with Orono High School in Minnesota, a role he held from 2015 to 2017 before moving to a different school for the 2021-22 campaign.
A little over a year later, Cooke landed his first coaching job in professional hockey when he was named the bench boss of the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers and while it was a great experience for the former Canuck, the year certainly didn't end as he would've liked as the team's membership was terminated by the league in 2024 for "not fulfilling the bylaws", resulting in them folding.
After taking the 2024-25 season off from any role within the game of hockey, Matt Cooke has finally found himself a new job and it brings him back to British Columbia, the province he called home for parts of nine seasons.
In a press release on Friday evening, the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL announced that they've named Matt Cooke as their new Head Coach and General Manager effective immediately.
"The Vernon Vipers are proud to announce the hiring of Matt Cooke as the organization's next Head Coach and General Manager." the club said.
Matt Cooke commented on joining the Vipers in the press release, saying that he's honoured to be hired by the organization and wants to help rebuild the club into a perennial candidate for the Fred Page Cup, which is the BCHL's championship.
"I'm incredibly honoured to be named the next Head Coach and General Manager of the Vernon Vipers. The Vipers are a team with a rich and storied history, and it's a privilege to join an organization that has meant so much to the community in Vernon - and to the BCHL and junior hockey across Canada. I'm excited to be a part of rebuilding a culture of excellence here in Vernon and returning this organization to being a perennial contender for the Fred Page Cup." Cooke said.
Cooke's first training camp with the Vernon Vipers is set to get underway in a little over a month from now and his club will open up the 2025-26 season at home on Friday, September 19th against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Source: Vernon Vipers
Vernon Vipers Name Matt Cooke as Head Coach and General Manager
Vernon Vipers Name Matt Cooke as Head Coach and General Manager
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 1780 ANSWERS Controversial Former Vancouver Canucks Forward & Stanley Cup Champion Lands New Job in Hockey Do you think Matt Cooke will lead the Vernon Vipers to the BCHL Playoffs next season? | ||
| Yes | 1024 | 57.5 % |
| No | 756 | 42.5 % |
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