Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Jon Cooper is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey coach best known as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 23, 1967, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, Cooper is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most successful coaches in modern NHL history.
Beyond his coaching achievements, Jon Cooper is a husband and father of three children. He is married to Jessie Cooper, formerly Jessica Ann Novak, and the couple has twin daughters named Julia and Josephine and a son named Jonathan.
His parents were Robert “Bob” Cooper and Christine Ferranti Cooper, who raised him in Prince George. He also has a brother named Christopher Cooper.
Both of Cooper’s parents have passed away. His mother died in November 2020, while his father died in February 2026.
Here is a closer look at Jon Cooper’s wife, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Jon Cooper’s Wife: Who Is Jessie Cooper?
Jon Cooper is married to Jessie Cooper, whose maiden name is Jessica Ann Novak.
Jessie is originally from Cadillac, Michigan, United States, and has a background in law.
She studied at Michigan State University and pursued legal education before beginning her professional career.
Jon and Jessie met during the early years of his legal career in Michigan.
According to a June 2026 profile published by NDTV Sports, they were introduced through a mutual friend at Crunchy’s, a popular establishment in East Lansing.
Both had connections to the legal profession, which helped establish their relationship.
Although Jon was working as an attorney, he eventually decided that professional hockey coaching was his true passion.
Jessie supported his decision to leave law and pursue coaching full-time.
How Jessie Cooper Supported Her Husband’s Coaching Career
Jessie Cooper played an important role during her husband’s transition from law to professional hockey.
In January 2026, the Tampa Bay Lightning published a feature celebrating Jon’s 1,000th NHL regular-season game as a head coach.
During the interview, Jessie recalled that the couple had only recently begun dating when Jon decided to leave his legal career.
He accepted a coaching opportunity in Texarkana, where the facilities were far less developed than those available in professional hockey.
The arena hosted several activities, meaning the ice surface frequently had to be removed and reinstalled.
Jessie occasionally helped Jon, team staff, and players prepare the rink by painting lines on the ice.
The couple experienced uncertainty and financial challenges during those early years.
However, Jessie continued encouraging her husband’s ambitions.
Her support remained important as the family moved between coaching assignments in Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia, New York, and eventually Florida.
When Did Jon Cooper and Jessie Get Married?
Jon Cooper and Jessie Novak reportedly married in 2005.
According to biographical reporting, Jon proposed at a dock near her family’s property on Lake Mitchell in Cadillac, Michigan.
The proposal followed several years of dating and occurred before the couple established their family life together.
The exact wedding day and ceremony location have not been independently verified through official NHL publications.
However, their marriage is confirmed by both the NHL and the American Hockey League.
How Many Children Does Jon Cooper Have?
Jon Cooper has three children with his wife, Jessie Cooper.
They are twin daughters Julia and Josephine Cooper, and a younger son named Jonathan Cooper.
All three children have appeared with their parents during official Tampa Bay Lightning celebrations and media interviews.
Their names were also confirmed by the NHL during Cooper’s 1,000th-game ceremony on January 6, 2026.
Julia Cooper: Jon Cooper’s Daughter
Julia Cooper is one of Jon and Jessie Cooper’s twin daughters.
She was born in 2008, according to her reported age in contemporary family interviews.
Julia grew up during her father’s progression through junior hockey, the American Hockey League, and the NHL.
When Jon became head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2013, Julia and her twin sister were approximately five years old.
In September 2020, Julia appeared in an interview with FOX 13 Tampa Bay alongside her mother and siblings.
She discussed the family’s experience watching Jon coach during the Stanley Cup Final, when NHL pandemic restrictions prevented them from attending games in person.
In January 2026, Julia joined her family on the ice during the Lightning’s celebration of her father’s 1,000th NHL game.
She also attended the June 2026 ceremony in which Jon received the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
Josephine “Josie” Cooper: Jon Cooper’s Daughter
Josephine Cooper, commonly known as Josie, is Julia’s twin sister.
She was also born in 2008.
Like her sister, Josie spent much of her childhood in Tampa, where the family settled after Jon joined the Lightning.
She appeared alongside Jessie, Julia, and Jonathan during FOX 13 Tampa Bay’s coverage of the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.
During those interviews, Josie described the excitement and nervousness associated with watching her father’s team compete for the championship.
In January 2026, she participated in Cooper’s 1,000th NHL game celebration.
In June 2026, she joined her parents and siblings at Tampa General Hospital for the presentation of the Jack Adams Award.
Although she has appeared in family-related hockey coverage, details about her private life remain limited.
Jonathan “Jonny” Cooper: Jon Cooper’s Son
Jonathan Cooper, commonly known as Jonny, is the youngest child of Jon and Jessie Cooper.
He was born in approximately 2010.
Like his father, Jonathan developed an interest in ice hockey during childhood.
In June 2021, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported that Jonny played for the Tampa Bulls youth hockey program.
His team won a state championship that year.
During the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Jonny also participated in family interviews discussing the challenges of being separated from his father while the NHL operated inside a restricted environment.
He maintained contact with Jon through telephone calls and video conversations.
In June 2026, The Hockey News reported that Jonathan was preparing to move away from home to pursue additional hockey opportunities.
He also appeared with his family when his father received the Jack Adams Award.
Jon Cooper’s Parents
Jon Cooper was born to Robert Cooper and Christine Ferranti Cooper in Prince George, British Columbia.
His father was Canadian, while his mother was originally from California.
The couple raised two sons, Jon and Christopher, in British Columbia.
Both parents supported Jon’s involvement in sports and later followed his professional coaching career.
Jon Cooper’s Father: Robert “Bob” Cooper
Robert Cooper, commonly known as Bob Cooper, was Jon Cooper’s father.
He was a Canadian businessman with strong connections to Prince George, British Columbia.
According to Christine Cooper’s obituary, Robert and his wife established R.J. Cooper Construction after settling in Prince George.
His business became part of the family’s life while Jon and Christopher were growing up.
Bob was also a passionate Toronto Maple Leafs supporter.
In interviews with NHL.com, Jon recalled the friendly rivalry between his parents over international hockey.
His father supported Canadian hockey, while his mother maintained strong emotional connections to American sports.
Bob followed his son’s career through numerous coaching assignments.
He witnessed Jon win Stanley Cup championships with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021.
He also saw him coach Canada to victory at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
When Did Jon Cooper’s Father Die?
Robert “Bob” Cooper passed away in February 2026.
His death occurred shortly after Jon coached Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
On February 25, 2026, the NHL announced that Cooper would miss two Tampa Bay Lightning games because of his father’s passing.
Assistant coach Rob Zettler temporarily assumed head coaching responsibilities.
Jon traveled to the Vancouver area to be with his family.
In an interview published on March 9, 2026, Cooper described the emotional difficulty of learning about his father’s death while traveling home from the Olympics.
He explained that although the loss was painful, he was grateful his father had witnessed so many important professional achievements.
Jon Cooper’s Mother: Christine Ferranti Cooper
Christine Cooper, born Christine Ferranti, was Jon Cooper’s mother.
She was born on December 28, 1942, in San Francisco, California, United States.
Her parents were Guido Ferranti and Dina Ferranti.
Christine grew up in Menlo Park, California, alongside her two brothers.
She met Robert Cooper while he was attending Menlo College.
The couple developed a relationship and married on April 25, 1964.
Following their wedding, Christine moved to Prince George, British Columbia, where they established their family.
Christine remained passionate about American sports, particularly the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants.
Her interests sometimes created friendly sporting disagreements with Robert, especially during international competitions involving Canada and the United States.
She also supported her sons’ athletic activities and regularly attended important events.
In a January 2026 Lightning interview, Jessie Cooper recalled one of Christine’s favorite expressions about determination, explaining that the family’s attitude toward challenges helped shape Jon’s character.
When Did Jon Cooper’s Mother Die?
Christine Ferranti Cooper passed away on November 6, 2020, in Prince George, British Columbia.
She was 77 years old.
Her obituary, published by the Prince George Citizen, confirmed her birth date, marriage, family background, and lifelong enthusiasm for sports.
Her death occurred shortly after the Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2020 Stanley Cup.
In March 2026, Jon recalled his mother’s strong American identity while reflecting on Canada’s loss to the United States in the Olympic gold-medal game.
He suggested that his parents would probably have continued their friendly hockey arguments if they had still been alive.
His comments illustrated how strongly both parents had influenced his personality and sporting interests.
Jon Cooper’s Siblings: Meet His Brother Christopher
Jon Cooper has one publicly identified sibling, a brother named Christopher Cooper.
Their relationship is supported by Christine Cooper’s November 2020 obituary.
The obituary states that Robert and Christine raised two sons.
Several family friends also identified Jon and Christopher in their memorial messages.
Christopher Cooper: Jon Cooper’s Brother
Christopher Cooper, also referred to as Chris Cooper, is Jon Cooper’s brother.
He grew up in Prince George, British Columbia, with Jon.
Both boys were raised in a household that encouraged participation in sports.
Their mother followed their athletic activities closely, while their father maintained a strong interest in hockey.
Christopher’s name appears in condolences published following their mother’s death in November 2020.
However, unlike Jon, Christopher has maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable information about his date of birth, occupation, marital status, and children has not been independently established.
There is also no verified public information identifying any additional brothers or sisters.
Jon Cooper’s Family Background and Childhood
Jon Cooper was born on August 23, 1967, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
He grew up with his brother Christopher in a household influenced by both Canadian and American sporting traditions.
His father supported Canadian hockey, while his mother followed American sports teams.
During his teenage years, Cooper attended Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, where he continued developing his interest in hockey.
He later moved to the United States to attend Hofstra University in New York.
At Hofstra, Cooper played collegiate lacrosse and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He subsequently earned a law degree and worked as an attorney in Michigan.
Despite pursuing a successful legal career, Cooper remained interested in coaching hockey.
He eventually began coaching youth and junior hockey teams before deciding to make the profession his full-time career.
How Jon Cooper Became an NHL Coach
Jon Cooper’s coaching career began at the youth and junior hockey levels.
He worked with several American junior hockey organizations, including the Texarkana Bandits, St. Louis Bandits, and Green Bay Gamblers.
His teams achieved considerable success, winning championships at multiple levels of junior hockey.
In 2010, Cooper joined the Tampa Bay Lightning organization as head coach of the Norfolk Admirals in the American Hockey League.
During the 2011–12 season, he guided Norfolk to the Calder Cup championship.
He subsequently coached the Syracuse Crunch before being promoted to the NHL.
On March 25, 2013, Tampa Bay appointed Cooper as head coach of the Lightning.
Under his leadership, the team reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Tampa Bay won consecutive championships in 2020 and 2021.
On December 31, 2025, Cooper coached his 1,000th NHL regular-season game.
The team honored him with a special ceremony on January 6, 2026, attended by Jessie and their three children.
On June 3, 2026, Cooper received his first Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year.
The award presentation took place at Tampa General Hospital, where the Cooper family was attending a charitable event.
Jon Cooper’s Family and Charitable Work
Jon Cooper and his wife have also established a strong charitable presence in the Tampa Bay community.
The couple is associated with the J5 Foundation, a family charitable organization established in 2022.
The name represents the five members of their immediate family: Jon, Jessie, Julia, Josephine, and Jonathan.
The foundation supports programs focused on children and families, particularly those affected by pediatric cancer.
Cooper also organizes the annual Coop’s Catch for Kids charity fishing tournament, which began in 2016.
The event brings together hockey players, coaches, former athletes, and supporters to raise money for pediatric cancer research and patient services.
In June 2026, the family helped celebrate the opening of the Coop’s Catch for Kids Family Lounge at Tampa General Hospital’s Muma Children’s Hospital.
The space was created to provide comfort and support for children receiving treatment and their families.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cooper was surprised with the Jack Adams Award.
Jessie and their children were present to celebrate both the charitable achievement and his coaching recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jon Cooper’s Family
Who is Jon Cooper’s wife?
Jon Cooper is married to Jessie Cooper, formerly Jessica Ann Novak. She has a background in law and supported his transition from working as an attorney to becoming a professional hockey coach.
Is Jon Cooper married?
Yes. Jon Cooper is married to Jessie Cooper. Their wedding reportedly took place in 2005.
How many children does Jon Cooper have?
Jon Cooper has three children: twin daughters Julia and Josephine, and a son named Jonathan.
Are Jon Cooper’s daughters twins?
Yes. Julia and Josephine Cooper are twin sisters who were born in 2008.
Who is Jon Cooper’s son?
His son is Jonathan Cooper, commonly known as Jonny. He has played competitive youth hockey in Florida.
Who are Jon Cooper’s parents?
Jon Cooper’s parents were Robert “Bob” Cooper and Christine Ferranti Cooper. They raised him and his brother in Prince George, British Columbia.
When did Jon Cooper’s father die?
His father, Robert Cooper, passed away in February 2026, shortly after the Winter Olympics.
When did Jon Cooper’s mother die?
Christine Ferranti Cooper died on November 6, 2020, at the age of 77.
Does Jon Cooper have siblings?
Yes. Jon Cooper has a brother named Christopher Cooper, also known as Chris.
Does Jon Cooper have a sister?
No sister has been publicly identified. His mother’s obituary states that she and Robert raised two sons.
Where is Jon Cooper’s family from?
Jon Cooper grew up in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. His mother was originally from California, while his wife Jessie comes from Michigan.
What is the J5 Foundation?
The J5 Foundation is the Cooper family’s charitable organization. It supports children and families, particularly those affected by pediatric cancer.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
