Cooper is comfortable enough here to do it in a way that he hopes will leave a lasting impression and, ideally, a legacy for whenever his time in Tampa is done.
Two years in, the event has raised more than $210,000 to benefit pediatric cancer research in the Tampa and St. Petersburg region.
"Obviously, Coop's main job is to win hockey games, but I tell you, you wouldn't know it," Lightning owner Jeff Vinik said. "He cares so much about what's going on in this community. He's an amazing person. I'm proud to have him as coach of the team."
Cooper said the event, which raised $60,000 last year, had raised more than $150,000 this year before the final count was in. That includes $68,000 raised at a cocktail reception to begin the event Monday, of which $40,000 came in donations from Vinik, Cooper, general manager Steve Yzerman and the Lightning players.
ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale, a Tampa resident, staunch supporter of pediatric cancer research and Basketball Hall of Famer, was the keynote speaker.
"Right now, only four cents from every dollar raised for cancer research goes to pediatrics and that's a crime, a total crime," Vitale said. "What Jon is doing is bringing an awareness. He's making a big impact. The impact he's making is going to stay."