PITTSBURGH - Florida Panthers goalie Cooper Black, an undrafted 25-year-old who attended a development camp in Coral Springs three years ago still trying to figure things out, will make his NHL debut Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Arena - and he will do it as the tallest goalie to start an NHL game in league history.
Black, officially listed at 6-foot-9 by the NHL, ties Zdeno Chara, Curtis Douglas and Matt Rempe as the tallest players in NHL history. He gets the start with Jacob Markstrom sidelined for what could be the next couple of weeks, according to Florida Hockey Now. He is the first goalie to make his NHL debut with the Panthers since Spencer Knight did so on April 20, 2021.
“At the end of the day, it’s an NHL game and that’s what everyone strives for. It’s what everyone dreams of as a little kid,” Black said. “It’s still going to be awesome. I’m still going to be nervous. But I have to take it day-by-day and not read too much into it.”
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has watched Black closely enough to feel confident in the moment. “He moves like an athlete,” Maurice said. “There is some power to what he does. We’re excited about it. I have seen him enough. He had a really strong exhibition game, looked completely comfortable. He’s on that path. Now is the time for him to get one of these games.” Maurice also offered a more succinct assessment of his goalie’s frame: “That’s a big lad.”
Black was a junior at Dartmouth when he first arrived in South Florida for development camp. He went undrafted but signed with the Panthers in 2024 after his senior season, choosing them over a number of other offers. His first pro appearance came with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he gave up five goals on 19 shots. He split his first pro year between the Checkers and the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL before stepping into the starting role in Charlotte last season after Brandon Bussi was claimed off waivers by the Hurricanes.
“I just felt the coaching staff could really help me improve my game,” Black said of choosing Florida. “I knew they had something special going on here. I cannot be any happier with where I ended up. It, literally, was the perfect scenario for me. At the end of the day, I am happy I am here and that this is the team I chose to be with.”
Black said he has worked to keep the moment in perspective. “You just have to take it day-by-day,” he said before the Panthers departed for their road trip. “If you look too far ahead, you’re going to make it into something bigger than it actually is. At the end of the day, it’s just another game. Not that I won’t be nervous or excited when it does come. There’s going to be tons of emotions if I get that opportunity.”
Thursday’s game is Florida’s 11th of the season. The Penguins lead the all-time regular-season series 59-40-9 with 4 ties; Pittsburgh won the teams’ lone meeting last season 2-1. The Panthers’ next game is Sunday at the Chicago Blackhawks at 3 p.m.