At 6‑foot‑9, Cooper Black could rewrite the record books the moment he steps onto NHL ice.
Key points
- At 6‑foot‑9, Black would become the tallest goaltender ever to play in the NHL, surpassing the previous record by two inches.
- His recent AHL statistics include a 2‑1‑0 record, 2.67 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
- Black signed a two‑year, two‑way extension with Florida in June 2026 after joining the club as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
- Coach Paul Maurice praised Black’s athletic movement and noted he does not depend solely on his size.
The Florida Panthers have called up 6‑foot‑9 goaltender Cooper Black for his first NHL appearance on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, when the team faces the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. If he takes the ice, Black would become the tallest netminder in the league’s more‑than‑century‑long history, eclipsing the previous high of 6‑foot‑7 held by four other goalies.
Black was recalled from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers earlier this week after posting a 2‑1‑0 record, a 2.67 goals‑against average and a .919 save percentage. His most recent outing featured 33 saves in a 4‑2 victory over Hartford, underscoring his readiness for the next level.
Historic debut
The undrafted free agent signed with the Panthers in 2024 and earned a two‑year, two‑way contract extension on June 8, 2026. He saw limited action in the preseason, making 14 saves in a 5‑3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on September 24, which gave coaches a first look at his size and skill set.
Head coach Paul Maurice highlighted Black’s blend of size and athleticism, saying, “That’s a big lad, and he moves like an athlete.” Maurice added that the youngster does not rely solely on his stature, noting his efficient play in the preseason game against Tampa. The coach also said he will let goaltending coach Robbie Tallas handle the usual pre‑game pep talk for the rookie.
AHL performance and contract
Fans who want to watch the historic debut can register at PanthersPlus.tv. Additional coverage, ticket information and mobile ordering are available through the New Panthers App.
Reader questions
When is Cooper Black’s NHL debut?
He is scheduled to start for the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
How does Black’s height compare to the previous tallest NHL goalies?
Black stands at 6‑foot‑9, which is two inches taller than the former record of 6‑foot‑7 held by Ben Bishop, Mikko Koskinen, Ivan Fedotov and Mads Sogaard.
What were Black’s recent numbers in the AHL?
In three starts for the Charlotte Checkers he posted a 2‑1‑0 record, a 2.67 goals‑against average, a .919 save percentage and recorded 33 saves in a 4‑2 win over Hartford.
Source: nhl.com
