Nikita Kucherov's 100-assist milestone made the man who has achieved the feat 11 times reach out to HC Jon Cooper

By ARJUN B

Modified Apr 18, 2024 03:45 GMT

When Nikita Kucherov recorded his 100th assist on Wednesday night, becoming just the fifth player in NHL history to reach the mark, it caught the attention of the player who achieved the feat 11 times - Wayne Gretzky.

In a classy gesture, The Great One reached out to Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper after Kucherov notched assist No. 100, setting up Brayden Point's power-play goal in the Lightning's 6-4 win over Toronto.

Cooper revealed in the post-game interview he received a text message from Gretzky glowing about Kucherov's accomplishment.

"While we are talking about The Great One, the first text message I got when I checked after the game and, the class act that he is, he just gave glowing comments about Nikita Kucherov. It was pretty cool," Cooper said.

Gretzky dominated the feat in the 1980s and early 90s, recording 100+ assists in a season 11 times. Mario Lemieux (1988-89), Bobby Orr (1970-71) and Connor McDavid (2022-23) are the only others besides Gretzky and Kucherov to reach the century mark.

The NHL had gone 32 seasons without a 100-assist player before Edmonton's McDavid achieved it earlier this week. Now Nikita Kucherov has matched the feat in the same season.

Jon Cooper shares his thoughts on Nikita Kucherov's 100th assist

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper expressed his appreciation for Nikita Kucherov recording his 100th assist this season, putting the star winger in elite company.

Speaking after the game, Cooper remarked,

"There are definitely some moments when my career is over that I will look back on. Two of them being the final 10 second countdowns when we won our Stanley Cups. This is tucked right behind those."

Cooper went on to describe the flood of emotions he felt, comparing it to the feeling of winning the Stanley Cup.

"Everybody says, 'What is that feeling like?' and relief often comes to mind but it is not a sexy word. When you sit back later and think of what you've accomplished, you are really proud of your team and everything they have accomplished. Well, it was a very similar feeling tonight."

Cooper lauded the remarkable nature of the accomplishment, especially with Edmonton's Connor McDavid also hitting 100 assists this season - the first time two players have done it in the same campaign in over 30 years.

"It is just a remarkable achievement and to actually think, in 100 plus years this league has been around, two players did it in the same year. That is pretty cool."

The Lightning will face their in-state rival, the Florida Panthers, in the first round as Kucherov looks to carry over his historic regular season form into another potentially deep playoff run.