Alpena’s Cooper Black makes NHL debut, credits Alpena support
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ALPENA - Cooper Black expected the nerves to hit harder. Instead, the Alpena native's first NHL game felt mostly like excitement.
The 25-year-old goaltender made his Florida Panthers debut Thursday night in a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, stopping 18 shots while becoming the tallest goaltender in NHL regular-season history at 6-foot-9.
"I expected to be a heck of a lot more nervous than I actually was," Black said. "I think I was just so excited that it didn't even really hit me."
He added that the nerves may have shown up in his play. "Maybe with the way I played, a little bit more passive than I normally would, that might have been the way that the nerves came out," he said. "But for the most part, I was just excited. Even when things were going well or things weren't going well, like when they scored, it was just so much fun to get the opportunity to be out there to play my first NHL game."
Black's start came amid an injury to Panthers starter Jacob Markstrom, who is expected to miss 10 to 14 days with a shoulder issue. It was Black's second recall from the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers in recent weeks. The first had been more of a learning experience.
"It was definitely a lot of travel, but anytime you get the opportunity to get a call-up, whether you're going to play or not, it's definitely important and a cool experience," Black said. "I was just glad to get up there and get to learn the first time I was called up, it made the second time I got called up and finding out I was going to play a lot easier to navigate."
The historic height aspect registered less than the chance itself. Previous NHL goaltenders had topped out at 6-foot-7. Black, who started playing hockey at age 8 years old and experienced a significant growth spurt in high school, treated the record as secondary.
"I wasn't really thinking about it--it's just a byproduct of playing," he said. "I'm just another goalie trying to stop pucks. I happen to be the tallest, but I don't place much weight on that."
Facing Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and others, and skating with established Panthers teammates, did not leave him starstruck. Black has been a professional for three years after going undrafted out of Dartmouth College, where he played two seasons following a standout high school career at Alpena High School.
"I've been signed pro for three years, so not too crazy," Black said. "Obviously, it was cool seeing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and Carlson and Letang on the other team, and obviously we've got fantastic players too."
The experience already felt surprisingly normal for him. Having played in plenty of preseason games, Black noted he is past the point of being starstruck and is focused on the work ahead. “I've got to keep battling and earning more opportunities,” he said, hoping the experience becomes “second nature rather than something I'm awestruck by.”
Members of Coop's family and friends were in the building to provide support and to celebrate the achievement. Black's parents attended, along with high school teammates, his grandfather, an uncle and his brother.
"They were just proud of me," he said. "I think for everybody, they've sacrificed a lot and supported me throughout the whole process. So, I think they were just excited that I was finally given an opportunity and just wanted to be there to support me."
One of the day's biggest highlights came from home. A photo circulated of young players gathered at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena watching the game on television. Black, a 2019 Alpena High School graduate and former Michigan Hockey Goalie of the Year, has remained connected to the local scene, including returning for scrimmages organized by a former youth coach, Dave Matash.
"Honestly, that was probably one of the highlights of my day yesterday," Black said of the Northern Lights image. "Seeing that picture of a bunch of young kids watching the Penguins play the Panthers on the Northern Lights TV."
Being a role model for local kids matters to him. "For me, it's super important that I'm a good role model for kids from Alpena to help show them that they can make it if they put their mind to it," he said. "And it just meant a lot getting to see that there's so many people back home supporting me from such an amazing town. I love Alpena and I've gotten so much love and support from the community that it definitely helps fuel me."
Black's path ran through local rinks, Alpena High, junior hockey in the NAHL and BCHL, two years at Dartmouth, and strong AHL seasons with Charlotte before the NHL contract and eventual call-ups. He has emphasized the role of community support at each step.
"Just thank you, honestly, to everyone who's been a part of me getting to where I am today," Black said. "There's so many people that I could name, but the list would literally go on forever."
The support from home has been consistent. "I've just had so much love and support from people in Alpena, and like I said before, it means the world to me, and it's definitely helped fuel me throughout my journey and will continue to do so," he said.
The Panthers, who entered the game at 5-4-2, were shut out for the first time this season and played the second of back-to-back games after a road loss in Ottawa. Coach Paul Maurice said after the game that it is difficult to win when a team scores zero and noted he was fine with Black in his first start. Black declined to discuss his immediate future with the club, which has games scheduled in the coming days.
For an Alpena product who once planned on attending Michigan State and becoming a veterinarian, Thursday marked the first NHL appearance by a Wildcat from the local high school program.