Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke was hired as head coach and general manager of the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League, a junior “A” league (the second-highest tier of junior hockey in Canada).

That team announced the transaction on Friday.

Cooke, 46, has coached at various levels since retiring as a player in 2015.

Between 2021 and 2023, Cooke was the head coach of Chaska High School in Minnesota. He then broke into the professional ranks during the 2023-24 campaign as head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His lone season with that club came to an abrupt ending, however, when the team ceased operations and its membership in the ECHL was terminated in April of 2024.

Cooke enjoyed a 14-year career as a forward in the NHL He spent five seasons with the Penguins and was a member of the franchise’s Stanley Cup championship in 2009.

He also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild.

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