Courtesy photo Charlotte Checkers goaltender Cooper Black, an Alpena native and former Michigan Hockey Goalie of the Year at Alpena High School, prepares to make a save during an American Hockey League (AHL) game.

ALPENA – Cooper Black never set out to play professional hockey. Growing up in Alpena, his path to the Florida Panthers organization was built on hard work, family support, and a love for the game that started on local rinks.

Black, now a goaltender for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), recently shared insights into his career. From his early days in youth hockey to earning an NHL contract, the six-foot-eight netminder embodies the idea that big dreams are possible from small-town roots.

Black moved to Alpena at age four. His father, not a hockey player himself, wanted to embrace Northern Michigan life and introduced his son to the sport. Black switched to goaltending at the age of eight-years-old after trying that role in a tournament.

“I had so much fun doing it I didn’t want to stop,” Black said. “So, from that point forward I was a goalie.”

His senior season with the Alpena Wildcats remains a highlight. Named team MVP and Michigan Hockey Goalie of the Year, Black cherished the camaraderie above individual honors.

“We had grown up playing together since we were little kids and having the opportunity to have a great season together as a program was what made it so special,” Black said. “I am still great friends with many of my high school teammates, and those individual awards only happened because of them and how well they played in front of me.”

Playing for the Wildcats fulfilled a childhood dream, said Black.

“As a kid I looked up to the hockey players, I thought they were the coolest people ever,” Black added.

Alpena’s smaller hockey market offered both advantages and challenges. Consistency with the same group of teammates built strong chemistry without yearly adjustments common in larger programs. However, access to specialized coaching was limited. Black had to travel to Detroit for most of his youth career before working with Taylor Corey of Gaylord in his senior year.

Key figures in his development included coaches Dave Matash and Chris Limback, along with unwavering support from his parents. Matash ignited Black’s love for the game as a nine-year-old with his infectious energy, while Limback provided crucial support during a challenging junior year.

“My parents had the biggest impact,” Black said. “They sacrificed so much for me to be able to play hockey, there is no chance I am doing what I am doing today without them.”

After high school, Black joined the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he helped lead the team to a conference championship. The jump to junior hockey brought a faster pace and more high-danger chances (HDC).

“As you move up, you’re expected to make hard saves,” Black noted. “In high school, certain goals might be forgiven; in juniors and pro, stopping them is part of the job.”

Black committed to Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school, prioritizing education alongside hockey.

“I wanted to make sure I got a good education,” Black said. “I didn’t know if I was going to have the opportunity to play pro and so I wanted to make sure I had a backup plan.”

Undrafted, Black earned an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers after his sophomore season at Dartmouth. The moment was surreal. Black had once planned to attend Michigan State University and become a veterinarian after high school.

“When I finally made the decision to sign, the coolest part for me was proving to myself that all the hard work had paid off, not just mine, but also the support and sacrifices of my family, friends, and everyone in my community who believed in me along the way,” Black said,

Now in the AHL with the Checkers, Black is a key part of the goaltending rotation. Looking ahead, Black’s short-term focus is steady improvement.

“I love the organization I’m in and they do a great job helping me improve so I’m just trying to take it day-by-day,” Black said.

This journey from Alpena High School reinforces a powerful message for athletes in smaller communities, Black said.

“You can make it no matter where you’re from if you have the work ethic and desire to do it,” Black said. “If you truly enjoy it and want to get better, working hard just comes naturally.”

“The rest happens from there,” Black added.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.