Reeling in Hope: Benchmark International Sponsors the 9th Annual Coop’s Catch for Kids

Benchmark International was proud to participate in Coop’s 9th Annual Catch for Kids, which occurred on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The 9th Annual Coop’s Catch for Kids brought together Tampa Bay Lightning players, business leaders, and supporters for a memorable day dedicated to raising awareness and funds to fight pediatric cancer.

Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper hosted this year’s fishing tournament, which raised a record-breaking $500,000. Since 2016, the tournament has raised more than $2 million in total. The proceeds benefit pediatric cancer families through the J5 Foundation and Coach Cooper and his family’s charitable fund.

How Did Coop’s Catch for Kids Become a Tampa Bay Tradition?

What began in 2016 as a charitable initiative founded by Jon Cooper and his wife, Jessie, has grown into an annual tradition that brings the Tampa Bay community together around a powerful mission: improving the lives of children fighting cancer.

Inspired by the opportunity to make a difference beyond the hockey rink, Coop’s Catch for Kids has become much more than a fishing tournament.

The annual catch-and-release event brings Lightning players, kids, and supporters to Tampa Bay waters, where hockey sticks trade places with fishing rods, and families and kids are invited to attend and share stories of resilience.

Reflecting on the tournament’s growth, Cooper said, “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would become as big as it is now. You look at all of the players and how excited they are about this event. I’ve been a part of many charity events over the years, and the players have embraced this one, and it is so humbling for me to be a part of that.”

Most importantly, the tournament celebrates the strength and courage of children facing pediatric cancer and the families supporting them every step of the way.

For Cooper, the tournament has become one of the year's highlights. “The kids, the event, the two days- aside from winning Stanley Cups, these are two of my favorite days of the year. It’s super cool how much the kids benefit and how much the players care. It is just a great match, and it is just so much fun.”

Why is the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer So Important?

For thousands of families across the country, pediatric cancer is a reality that changes life in an instant. A diagnosis can turn into a journey filled with hospital visits, difficult treatments, challenges, and uncertainty that no child or parent should have to face.

According to 2026 estimates:

• 15,340 children and adolescents ages 0-19 are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the US
• Approximately 1,820 children are expected to lose their lives to cancer each year
• Cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death for children ages 1-19 among children and adolescents in the US
• Approximately 1 in 266 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20^th birthday
• Approximately 85% of children diagnosed with cancer survive at least 5 years, compared with the roughly 58% in the mid-1970s

That is why events like Coop’s Catch for Kids matter. They help turn awareness into action and generosity into resources.

Brandon Hagel, the Lightning’s Left Wing, said, “You get to meet these kids throughout the year around the dressing room. They come to some away games, and it's pretty heartfelt to see these kids and what they go through—just being able to see them have a smile on their face. We'll never in a million years be able to explain or know what they did go through, but just being there for those kids, and then obviously Coop. What he does, and how he got this fishing tournament together, is a pretty incredible story. It just goes to show what type of guy he is.”

Benchmark International is proud to participate in this year’s Coop’s Catch for Kids and stand alongside an incredible community united in the fight against pediatric cancer.

To learn more about Coop’s Catch and how you can support the fight against pediatric cancer, visit: https://www.nhl.com/lightning/community/coops-catch.

To learn more about the event, visit the BoltsCast podcast.

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