Matt Cooke

About Matt Cooke

NHL left winger whose unlawful head checks led to the league changing its rules to prohibit his style of play.

Matthew David Cooke is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 16 seasons and 1,046 games in the National Hockey League. Cooke won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008-09 NHL season and was a member of the Canadian team that won a gold medal at the 2004 World Championship. In addition to having previously played for the Penguins, he also played in the NHL. with Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild. Cooke was born in Belleville, Ontario, but raised in Stirling, Ontario. Cooke's style of play has made him known as one of the "destroyers" NHL. During his NHL career, Cooke has been criticized and frequently suspended for shots, some involving head shots or knee bumps that injure opposing players. Most notably is a blow to Marc Savard's head, a major factor influencing changes to NHL rules aimed at discouraging such behavior.

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Trivia

He played the informal pest role for the Pittsburgh Penguins, often drawing suspensions for his concussion-inducing hits.

Matt Cooke before fame

He was a skilled offensive player in the OHL, collecting 95 points and racking up 146 penalty minutes in his second season.

Achievement of Matt Cooke

He was the Penguins' unofficial pest, frequently receiving suspensions for his concussion-inducing hits.

Salary 2020

Not known

Net Worth 2020

Undisclosed

Matt Cooke family life

With his wife Michelle, he had three children.

Associations of Matt Cooke

In response to a number of Cooke's hits, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made head hits from the blind side illegal.

Matt Cooke Height, Weight & Physique Measurements

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