J.P. Cote

On Episode 24 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by J.P. Cote. Cote, who is currently the Director of Player Development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, played three seasons in Syracuse with the Crunch from 2012 to 2015. Cote joined signed a two-year AHL contract with the Crunch ahead of the 2012-13 season after he won the Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012. A veteran presence, Cote was an assistant captain for the Crunch, providing leadership while dressing in 74 games. The steady defenseman chipped in with 17 points and a career-high 143 PIM as the Crunch won the East Division with a 43-22-6-5 record. He went on to play in all 18 playoff games to help the Crunch roll through the Eastern Conference en route to their first ever berth in the Calder Cup Finals.  The Quebec native returned to the Crunch in 2013-14 and played 33 games with 13 points. He signed an NHL contract with the Lightning during the season and ended up playing 19 games for Tampa Bay in his first NHL action since the 2005-06 season. He played one final season in Syracuse, appearing in 74 games in 2014-15 season to end his tenure in the organization. Cote totaled 181 games during his Crunch career, putting up 41 points (7g, 34a) and 312 PIM over his three seasons.  Cote's playing career ended with three seasons in Europe, playing in Germany and France. He spent one season as a scout with the San Jose Sharks before returning to the Lightning organization as the team's Director of Player Development on August 1, 2019. On the show, Cote discusses his time as a player with the Crunch, returning to the organization in his current role, and much more.