David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers sign Cooper Black to entry-level contract

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Colton Davies | Last updated 4/2/24

Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Cooper Black on a two-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2024-25 season.

“Cooper is a talented young goaltender whose rare combination of size and athletic ability have allowed him to succeed in the college ranks,” said Zito in a press release. “We are looking forward to his further development within our organization.”

Signed ✍️

We have agreed to terms with goaltender Cooper Black on a two-year, entry-level contract commencing in the 2024-25 season!

» https://t.co/LqI6p6Qsnh pic.twitter.com/vtcFctQPet
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 2, 2024

The 22-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Dartmouth College Big Green in the NCAA where he compiled a 13-8-8 record and a 2.58 goals-against average to go with a .910 save percentage through 30 games. Black was named a finalist for the Ken Dryden ECAC Goaltender of the Year Award. Black was also named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team in 2022-23 after registering three shutouts in his freshman campaign.

Prior to his NCAA tenure, the Alpena, Michigan product played for the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) where he put together an astonishing 24-7-1 record to go with a 2.62 goals against average and .924 save percentage. He put together a 12-4 record in 16 BCHL Playoff contests leading them to a Coastal Conference Championship, Black led all BCHL goalies in save percentage.

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, if Black gets a National Hockey League start, he will be the tallest goalie to ever play in the NHL. Philadelphia Flyers netminder Ivan Fedotov currently holds that rank standing at 6-foot-8 himself.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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