Cooper Black has etched his name into the annals of NHL history by becoming the tallest goalie to ever play in the league, which has been in existence for over a century. The 25-year-old rookie made his debut for the Florida Panthers on Thursday, 22nd October 2026, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, standing at an impressive six-foot-nine inches tall.
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Prior to this historic moment, Black outmeasured four other goalkeepers who were previously noted for their height, each standing at six-foot-seven. These included former professionals such as Ben Bishop, Mikko Koskinen, Ivan Fedotov, and Mads Sogaard. Black’s towering stature has already garnered attention, and Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice remarked, “That’s a big lad, and he moves like an athlete. A man that size, it takes a long time to grow into that body… I think he’s done,” he added with a laugh.
The Panthers signed Cooper Black as an undrafted free agent on 2nd April 2024 after his collegiate career at Dartmouth College. He made his professional debut early that season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Black, who is originally from Alpena, Michigan, weighed in at 250 pounds for his NHL debut, humorously attributing his recent weight gain to “a couple extra bowls of ice cream.”
Black began his journey in ice hockey at the age of eight and experienced a significant growth spurt during high school, rising from six feet to six-foot-five in just a year. His size has contributed to a promising career so far, and during his first NHL outing, he made 18 saves, despite the Panthers ending the match with a 4-0 loss to the Penguins.
After the game, Black spoke about the significance of playing alongside athletes he grew up idolising. “It’s cool, right? Growing up, all the guys you kind of saw and watched as a kid, even as a goalie… Cool experience to play against the guys. It would have been nicer to win,” he reflected. He shared his feelings about stepping onto the ice, remarking that it was an incredible experience.
In a touching moment, Black acknowledged the sacrifices made by his parents who have supported him throughout his journey in hockey. He stated, “They sacrificed a lot for me to get to where I am… money, time, and effort overall. I wouldn’t be here without them, so I just really appreciate what they did for me.” He did, however, also joke that he “purposely didn’t” look for them in the stands while in play, perhaps overwhelmed by the pressure of the moment.
In his brief but impactful first match, Black demonstrated his skills early on by stopping a shot from Penguins veteran defence man Kris Letang, showcasing his reflexes and agility. He also managed to block a breakaway opportunity from Penguins forward Rickard Rakell, although he ultimately conceded a goal to the five-foot-nine Nick Robertson, marking one of the key moments in the game.
Cooper Black was brought up from the Panthers’ AHL affiliate due to an injury to Jacob Markstrom, which placed him under the spotlight during his inaugural game. Coach Maurice praised Black’s development since joining the franchise, noting his impressive performance last season with the Checkers, where he maintained a record of 25 wins, 13 losses, and 4 overtime losses, alongside a goals-against average of 2.47 and a .903 save percentage.
As he embarks on his NHL career, Black’s debut marked not just a personal achievement, but also a defining moment in sports history. With his towering frame and determined spirit, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the new Panthers goalie will evolve in the league moving forward. His journey from an undrafted player to making history in the NHL serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world, demonstrating that hard work and perseverance can yield remarkable results, even on the grandest of stages.