Panthers Bring The Tallest Goalie In NHL History To Ottawa For Tkachuk Homecoming

All eyes will be on Brady Tkachuk when the Florida Panthers visit Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night. But while the return of the former captain will dominate all the headlines, the Panthers are also bringing another interesting storyline to town.

They're travelling with a goaltender who is about to become the tallest in NHL history.

Cooper Black stands an imposing 6-foot-8, and the 25-year-old is on the verge of making his NHL debut after being recalled from the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.

Black got the call after Florida's starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, suffered an upper-body injury during Monday's practice. The veteran, who's often been Linus Ullmark's running mate on the Swedish national team, is expected to miss 10 to 14 days.

Akira Schmid is expected to get the start against the Sens on Wednesday, with Black serving as his backup. But Maurice has already indicated that the towering rookie will likely see game action during Florida's four-game road trip.

When Black finally steps onto NHL ice, whether that happens Wednesday night or not, he'll stand alone in the record books.

The current record of 6-foot-7 is shared by five goaltenders, including two with ties to the Senators: Mads Sogaard and Ben Bishop. The others are former Edmonton Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov and Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby.

Bishop, who only played 23 games for the Sens, went on to become one of the NHL's top goaltenders, earning three Vezina nominations. Sogaard, meanwhile, spent several seasons in the Sens organization after they selected him in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. 

Black's road to the NHL has been a little different.

The Alpena, Michigan native was never drafted into the NHL. Instead, he played two seasons at Dartmouth College, where he steadily improved his numbers and attracted the attention of the Panthers.

Florida signed him to an entry-level contract in April 2024, and he began his professional career with Charlotte, where he worked his way up over the past two years. The Panthers feel like he's ready for this.

"That's a big lad, and he moves like an athlete," Maurice told reporters on Tuesday. "He's been good. He's been good in practice. He looks like he fits. He looks comfortable. It's the right time for him to get in."

For Sens fans, Wednesday's game will understandably be all about Tkachuk, the former captain who requested a trade and will be returning to Canadian Tire Centre for the first time in a Panthers uniform.

But at the far end of the Panthers’ bench, there will be a 6-foot-8 rookie goaltender in a ball cap, waiting for his chance to make a little NHL history of his own.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa