Matt Cooke named coach of ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers

Stirling native Matt Cooke has been named head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL.
The signing was announced over the weekend.
The 45-year-old Cooke, who is also a member of the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame, played in more than 1000 games over 16 seasons in the NHL with Vancouver, Washington, Minnesota and Pittsburgh. He won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009.
The former Wellington Duke played three seasons in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and Kingston Frontenacs and was also a member of the 1998 Team Canada World Junior team.

The Growlers are the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies. They kick off their season at home in two weeks.