Former Clipper goalie Cooper Black has signed a two-year entry level contract with the NHL's Florida Panthers. Black backstopped Nanaimo to the BCHL finals in 2022. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Big Time Goalie

Former Clipper goalie signs NHL deal with Panthers

Apr 2, 2024 | 10:58 AM

NANAIMO — The goalie who led the Clippers to the BCHL finals in 2022 has signed a two-year entry level contract with the Florida Panthers.

Cooper Black just finished his second year playing NCAA Division 1 hockey at Dartmouth where he posted a 13-8-8 record with a 2.58 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

The 6’8 netminder has a chance to become the NHL’s tallest goalie if he gets an opportunity to suit up for the Panthers.

He’s been on Florida’s radar for awhile after attending their development camp in July 2023.

Black also went to a Colorado Avalanche camp last summer as well.

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The Alpena, Michigan product was impressive in his only season in Nanaimo.

Clippers head coach Colin Birkas remembered the 20-year-old didn’t have stellar numbers before he came to the BCHL but he felt Black looked the part of a number one goalie.

“He had the size and speaking with him you could tell he had a point to prove,” Birkas said. “When he got here he played well and really rounded out his game. He was a huge reason we swept our way to the league final.”

Black sported a 24-7 regular season record with a 2.62 goals against average and two shutouts.

His post season record in 2022 was 12-3-1 with a 2.20 goals against average, a .937 save percentage and an additional three shutouts.

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