Lightning Coach Dresses Up for Stadium Series Game

Jon Cooper embraces Cuban theme for marquee outdoor NHL event in Tampa

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper arrived at Raymond James Stadium for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game against the Boston Bruins dressed in a white suit, red undershirt, and gold necklace, embracing the local Cuban theme of Tampa. The Lightning players also wore Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms to pay homage to the NFL team that calls the stadium home, while the Bruins arrived dressed as Revolutionary War-era soldiers.

Why it matters

The NHL Stadium Series is a marquee outdoor hockey event, and Cooper's outfit choice and the teams' uniform selections highlight the cultural influences and local sports connections in Tampa, a city with a strong Cuban community and passionate sports fans.

The details

Cooper's outfit, which included a white hat and suit with a red undershirt and gold necklace, was meant to play into the Cuban theme of Tampa, where the game was held at Raymond James Stadium. The Lightning players also arrived wearing full Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms to pay homage to the NFL team that calls the stadium home. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins arrived dressed as Revolutionary War-era soldiers, a nod to both history and their NFL counterparts, the New England Patriots.

  • The 2026 NHL Stadium Series game took place on Sunday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Baker Mayfield

The quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tristan Wirfs

The offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ryan McDonagh

A defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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What they’re saying

“It meant the world to us that those guys wanted to lead us in. Everyone loves the creamsicle (jersey). It's so fun to play here, live here and support each team throughout our season so this is just our way to pay our respects to them.”

— Ryan McDonagh, Lightning defenseman (NHL.com)

The takeaway

The NHL Stadium Series event in Tampa showcased the city's rich cultural diversity and passionate sports fans, with the Lightning and Bruins embracing local themes and traditions through their unique uniform choices and pregame arrivals.