- published: 04 Nov 2014
- views: 934
Matthew David Cooke (born September 7, 1978) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cooke won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh during the 2008–09 NHL season. Cooke was member of the Team Canada at the 2004 World Championships which won the gold medal. He has also played in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals.
Cooke's playing style of intentionally attempting to aggravate opponents has earned him the reputation of one of the NHL's "pests". During his NHL career Cooke has been suspended for several much criticized hits, some involving head-shots that injured opposing players, most notably Marc Savard in 2010. Cooke was an important factor influencing NHL rule changes intended to deter such conduct. After his longest suspension in 2011, Cooke has pledged to change is style of play. Although he is no longer a member of the Vancouver Canucks' organization, he is still active in the Vancouver community with his wife as they run The Cooke Family Foundation of Hope.