When Cooper Black takes his crease at PPG Paints Arena for his upcoming NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he will rewrite the record books. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-9, the Florida Panthers netminder is set to become the tallest goaltender in the more than a century-long history of the National Hockey League.
Black surpasses a group of four goaltenders who previously shared the height record at 6-foot-7: Ben Bishop, Mikko Koskinen, Ivan Fedotov, and Mads Sogaard. Despite his exceptional stature, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice noted that Black moves with the agility of an ordinary player. “That’s a big lad, and he moves like an athlete,” Maurice remarked ahead of the matchup.
Recalled from the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday, Black brings a solid developmental resume to the top level. In three starts with the Checkers this season, he has posted a 2-1-0 record, alongside a 2.67 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. His most recent AHL outing came on Saturday, when he stopped 33 shots to secure a 4-2 victory over Hartford.
Black’s professional journey with Florida began after he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024. The organization solidified his future in the system by locking him into a two-year, two-way contract extension on June 8, 2026. He also tested himself against NHL-caliber competition during the preseason, turning away 14 shots in a 5-3 win over the intrastate rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 24.
Maurice pointed to that September performance against Tampa Bay as a crucial indicator of Black’s readiness for the league. The head coach praised the goaltender’s technical efficiency, noting that he avoided relying solely on his massive frame to stop pucks. “He looked efficient. He was small in the right way. He wasn’t all over the place,” Maurice said. “He didn’t look like he was solely relying on his size to make saves. We’re looking forward to seeing him. We think we’ve got a real good one there.”
While pregame routines are standard for most players breaking into the league, Maurice joked that his typical motivational speech might not suit the towering rookie. Instead of his usual advice to relax and take in the atmosphere, Maurice intends to leave the final preparations to Panthers goaltending coach Robbie Tallas.
