Cooper Black Debuts as Tallest NHL Goaltender Ever — SkimNews
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- Cooper Black became the first 6-foot-9 goaltender to appear in an NHL regular-season game, setting a new height record for the position
- Cooper Black made 17 saves in his debut start, including a breakaway stop on Rickard Rakell, before allowing a goal to 5-9 Nick Robertson
- Florida Panthers called up Black from their AHL affiliate in Charlotte after Jacob Markstrom suffered a shoulder injury
- Paul Maurice praised Black’s development, noting his growth into his frame and citing his 25-13-4 record with a 2.47 GAA in Charlotte last season
- Cooper Black stopped Kris Letang early in the first period with his blocker pad, marking a strong start to his NHL debut
- ESPN Research and The Associated Press provided supporting data confirming Black’s height surpasses previous record-holders Ben Bishop, Ivan Fedotov, Mads Sogaard, and Mikko Koskinen by two inches
Why it matters: At 6-foot-9, Black’s debut redefines physical benchmarks for NHL goaltenders, offering Florida immediate depth amid Markstrom’s injury. His performance—17 saves on 18 shots—demonstrates viability at the highest level, making his size not just a novelty but a functional asset in net.
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