Cooper Black

March 2025 – Black has gotten better as this season has gone on. After his most recent and longest stint in the ECHL, Black has returned and proven to be one of the better goaltenders in the AHL. In his 10 games since returning from the ECHL, Black has an 8-2-0 record and has posted a .925 SV%. Black could be the Checkers’ starter if he can carry this momentum into the playoffs. The story with Black will always be his size and how well he moves for being 6-8, and with such a unique blend, Black could become a nightmare for NHL opposition if he continues his development. James Connelly

December 2024 – There is no goaltending prospect in the Panthers’ system more intriguing than Cooper Black. His 6-8 frame leaves an incredibly high upside for the 23-year-old netminder, who moves phenomenally for his size. There are flashes of brilliance in his game and moments where his translatability to the highest level is questioned. Black has gotten into four games this year, three of which he posted a sub .833 save percentage and a shutout versus Iowa most recently. Black’s performance versus Iowa showed his elite upside, but his other games leave questions about his translatability. He will be a netminder who will have to marinate in the AHL for a few years, and if he begins to have consistent AHL all-star-level performances, he will earn his shot at an NHL role. James Connelly

June 2024 – Black’s sophomore campaign was quite impressive. Black earned himself a professional contract from the Panthers by taking positive steps in every goaltending statistic. Starting almost every game for Dartmouth, Black backstopped the team to 13 victories and posted a .910 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA. His efforts made him a finalist for the prestigious Ken Dryden Award. He has already gotten into his first professional game with the Charlotte Checkers and will play in their AHL rotation next season, learning the ropes of the professional game. He uses his size to his advantage and could become an NHLer one day if he continues to have years like the one he had last year. James Connelly