NHL Jon Cooper Wife Jessie Cooper: Lightning Coach’s Family Amid Recent Loss
Feb. 26, 2026 — Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who missed two games following his father’s death on Feb. 25, draws support from his wife Jessie Cooper (née Novak), originally from Cadillac, Michigan.
The NHL Jon Cooper wife Jessie has been a constant presence throughout his coaching career, from early challenges to recent milestones like his 1,000th NHL game on Dec. 31, 2025. Cooper, a dual U.S.-Canada citizen, and Jessie, a former lawyer, met on a blind date and married in 2005 after he proposed on her family’s dock on Lake Mitchell.
Early Life and Career
Jessie Cooper grew up in Cadillac, Michigan, daughter of Cynthia Mortensen Novak and Steven Novak, with sister Nicol Novak Mettler. She graduated from Mona Shores High School, attended Central Michigan University, Syracuse University, and Michigan State College of Law. Her career included stints at law firms like Patton Tidwell & Schroeder L.L.P. and Bentley-Hall Inc., plus roles at Relix Magazine, Haydenfilms, and Syracuse New Times. A former collegiate athlete, she pivoted to support Cooper’s coaching path.
Family and Children
The couple has three children: twin daughters Julia and Josie (born 2008) and son Jonny (born 2010). The family relocated to Tampa when the children were young, with Jessie noting, “This is our children’s home… Tampa is just a special place.” They run Coop’s Catch for Kids, a fishing tournament raising funds for pediatric cancer research since 2016.
Journey from Law to NHL
Both lawyers initially, Jessie backed Cooper’s shift to coaching in Texarkana, Texas. She recalled:
“I’ll be honest, I was super young and I was graduating from law school, and I had fallen madly in love with him, so he could do no wrong… And let me tell you, it was a wild adventure.”
(NHL.com)
During the 2020 playoffs, with the team in Canada’s NHL bubble, Jessie and the children cheered from Tampa, staying up for overtime games and connecting via video calls (FOX 13).
Interest in the NHL Jon Cooper wife remains high amid his career, including family honors at his 1,000-game ceremony in January 2026. No new statements from Jessie on the recent loss, but the family’s role underscores Cooper’s support system.
