Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach makes an incredible gesture to a young fan
In 2023 fan engagement is at its highest in large part due to the age of social media and because of this, videos like the one below emerge from time to time.
During a recent press conference at Amelie Arena in Tampa Bay, Lightning Head Coach John Cooper was asked a question by a youngster.
Although hesitant, the young man, dressed in a shirt, tie and sport coat asks Cooper, "was there a play that the team did that pleased you?"
The coach reiterated the question to allow the rest of the press room to hear it, then answered with the following. "It happened with sixty seconds left in the game and that was uh, a whole bunch of skilled players making skilled plays and winning a hockey game that was in the balance, that made me happy."
Hockey has become a business and moments like these are refreshing to watch due to the nature of how an individual in Coopers' position treats the child and the question.
This moment with Cooper pales in comparison then how Buffalo Sabres columnist Mike Harrington treated a young budding reporter back in 2019.
Harrington was seen on video intimidating a Sabres Jr Reporter telling her repeatedly no while using his hands to force her to back up. Harrington later clarified in a release that he was "stopping her from advancing and instructed the employee that it was not appropriate for a child. It was nothing I would have wanted any child of mine to hear."
Afterwards, Harrington offered an apology for the situation.
| POLL | ||
Should NHL teams allow more opportunities for junior reporters? | ||
| Yes. Let them learn | 61 | 70.9 % |
| No. The press room is no place for a youngster | 25 | 29.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
