Lightning Head Coach Couldn't Be Happier for Tyler Johnson

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson has been through it all and his head coach, Jon Cooper has seen it first hand. On Friday night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final it was Johnson's time to shine and Cooper loved every single minute of it.

Johnson scored twice to help the Lightning take a 3-0 strangle hold on the Cup Final and Cooper had this to say about the veteran's performance:

There's a reason Tyler Johnson's trophy case is fairly full. It's because he's an ultimate team player. He's selfless, and there was a time in this organization when we needed to take another step and Tyler Johnson was one of the leaders of that. He's just carried that on for years now. As teams change and they evolve, and the salary cap (comes into play) ... guys are coming up. But there was one thing we never lost faith in: Tyler Johnson. He never lost faith in himself. And roles change, you have to adapt, and nobody's done it better than Tyler. ... I couldn't be more happy for somebody, and I know that his teammates were for his performance tonight, and being rewarded for everything he's gone through. I'm extremely happy for the win. I might be a little happier for Tyler Johnson.

Johnson had been put through it all this season and managed to keep his mind on track and his focus on the team. He went unclaimed in October and is often in trade talks in each summer. Johnson and Cooper both joined the Lightning in 2012-13 and have created a strong bond. Winning a Stanley Cup and maybe another, certainly helps.

Photo credit:  Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports