Advertisement

Mark Reeds' death hits home for Lightning's Jon Cooper

 
Published April 14, 2015

Lightning coach Jon Cooper joined many in the hockey fraternity Tuesday in mourning the loss of Senators assistant Mark Reeds, who died at age 55 of cancer.

It especially hit home for Cooper as he had just returned from Michigan after going to a funeral Monday for his father-in-law, Steve Novak, who died at age 62 after a similar battle.

"It's just a sad day," Cooper said. "And it really touches home with me, my father in law just passed away of the exact same thing. It makes you sick to your stomach to think about it. All those loved ones (Reed) left behind, to go at such a young age. It's tough. I'm just speechless."

Cooper said he got to know Reeds while coaching for the St. Louis Bandits (NAHL) from 2006-08. Reeds, a former St. Louis Blues forward, was part of that organization's alumni. Cooper spent some time with Reeds' son, Kyle.

"I couldn't have been more fired up when (Reeds) got into the NHL as a coach with Ottawa," Cooper said. "It's tough."