Oct 23, 2026 - Sports

Charlotte's super tall goalie makes NHL debut and history

Alexandria Sands

Charlotte's super tall goalie Cooper Black took his NHL rookie lap Thursday night in Pittsburgh after the Florida Panthers called him up.

Why it matters: Black, the 6-foot-9'er who played with the Checkers in Charlotte, is now the tallest goaltender in NHL history.

He's got two inches on Ben Bishop, Ivan Fedotov, Mads Sogaard and Mikko Koskinen, all at 6-7, per ESPN.

Driving the news: Black, whom the Panthers signed in 2024 as an undrafted rookie free agent, was recalled to fill in for goalie Jacob Markstrom, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Black made 17 saves Thursday night.
The Panthers, however, were shut out for the first time this season. The Penguins won 4-0, snapping a four-game losing streak.

By the numbers: Black, 25, posted a 25-13-4 record with a .903 save percentage last season with the Panthers' AHL affiliate, ESPN reported.

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Charlotte's super tall goalie makes NHL debut and history

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