Devin Cooley Bio
Devin Cooley is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 192 pounds, the left-catching netminder brings a large frame and steady composure to his crease work. Undrafted out of college, Cooley climbed the professional ranks through the ECHL and the American Hockey League before earning his first NHL opportunity. He remains active in the league and continues to build his résumé as a young American goaltender.
Early Life and Background
Devin Cooley was born on May 25, 1997, in Los Gatos, California. Growing up in Northern California placed him in a region with a strong youth hockey presence, and he developed his earliest skills in that competitive environment. Los Gatos, located near San Jose, is well known for producing young players who feed into the Bay Area’s junior programs.
Cooley’s first organized hockey came with the San Jose Jr Sharks, the youth affiliate connected to the Sharks organization. That local program gave him his introduction to structured goaltending and helped him transition into higher-level junior hockey. His size and quickness marked him as a prospect with long-term potential, even though he was never selected in the NHL Draft.
Path to Hockey
After his time with the San Jose Jr Sharks, Cooley moved on to play in the United States Hockey League with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The USHL is one of the top development circuits in North America, and his selection by Muskegon reflected his rising profile. He later skated for the Springfield Jr. Blues and the Wenatchee Wild, two more developmental stops that broadened his experience against varied styles of play.
Cooley then committed to the University of Denver, a program with a long history of producing NHL goaltenders. Over three seasons in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, he posted a 1.93 goals against average, a .927 save percentage, and six shutouts across 32 appearances. Those numbers drew professional attention and set the stage for his next step into pro hockey.
Devin Cooley Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Following his junior and college years, Cooley signed with the Nashville Predators organization. He opened the 2020–21 campaign in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, Nashville’s developmental affiliate, where he adjusted to the pace and grind of professional hockey. The Everblades stint allowed him to log meaningful minutes and refine his game against veteran scorers.
Over the next two seasons, Cooley worked his way up to the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s American Hockey League affiliate. Working closely with the Predators’ goaltending staff, he continued to develop his rebound control and positioning. By the end of his time in the organization, he had proven himself ready for a fresh opportunity.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2023–2024)
Cooley signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the 2023–24 season. Buffalo assigned him to the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he posted a 3–0–1 record early in the year. His strong play earned him a recall to the Sabres on an emergency basis to back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, although he did not see game action during that brief stint.
Buffalo later dealt Cooley to the San Jose Sharks on March 8, 2024, in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. The move brought him back to the organization where he first learned the game as a Junior Shark, creating a fitting full-circle moment in his career.
San Jose Sharks Era (2024)
After the trade, the Sharks initially assigned Cooley to the San Jose Barracuda, their AHL affiliate, before quickly recalling him. He served as a backup to his former University of Denver teammate Magnus Chrona, continuing a partnership that dated back to their college days. The promotion reflected both his growth and the familiarity he had with the Bay Area system.
Cooley made his on-ice NHL debut on March 17, 2024, in a 5–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Less than three weeks later, on April 6, 2024, he secured his first NHL win, stopping the St. Louis Blues 3–2 in overtime. The early success offered a glimpse of what the undrafted goaltender could accomplish with regular NHL minutes.
Calgary Flames Era (2024–Present)
Following his Sharks stint, Cooley signed a two-year free agent contract with the Calgary Flames on July 1, 2024. The deal gave him a clear path to compete for a depth role within the Flames’ goaltending group. His time in Calgary also reunited him with a fresh opportunity to push for NHL action on a regular basis.
Cooley’s move to Calgary capped a rapid rise from undrafted college player to NHL-contracted professional. With his size, technique, and experience in multiple leagues, he entered the Flames’ system as a prospect worth developing. His journey from the Junior Sharks to a two-year NHL deal underscored the rewards of persistence.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 5 inches, Cooley uses his frame to cover the lower portion of the net and challenge shooters through heavy traffic. He relies on positioning and a calm demeanor, traits that helped him post a .927 save percentage at the University of Denver. Coaches have praised his willingness to track the puck through screens and his steady rebound management in tight games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cooley’s first NHL win against the St. Louis Blues in overtime stands as a defining moment of his early career. His trade back to the San Jose organization, where he had first developed, added a symbolic layer to that breakthrough. Adding a two-year contract with the Calgary Flames further validated the climb that began with the Junior Sharks.
Devin Cooley Career Wins
Devin Cooley has built his professional win totals across the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. His first NHL victory came in overtime against the St. Louis Blues on April 6, 2024, while skating for the San Jose Sharks. Earlier AHL success with the Rochester Americans and the Milwaukee Admirals provided the foundation for that breakthrough at the top level.
NHL Highlights
Cooley’s NHL résumé began with the San Jose Sharks during the 2023–24 season. He earned his first win in dramatic fashion, posting a 3–2 overtime victory over St. Louis. That result gave the young netminder a tangible milestone as he transitioned into a full-time NHL role with the Calgary Flames.
Other Wins & Performances
Before reaching the NHL, Cooley picked up victories in the AHL with the Rochester Americans and the Milwaukee Admirals, and in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades. He also delivered a .927 save percentage over three seasons at the University of Denver, including six shutouts. These performances helped him earn a multi-year NHL contract and continued opportunities at the top level.
Devin Cooley Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Public information about Devin Cooley’s parents and immediate family remains limited. His development path through the San Jose Jr Sharks, Muskegon Lumberjacks, Springfield Jr. Blues, and Wenatchee Wild reflects a journey shaped by strong local and regional support. Further details about his parents and upbringing have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Cooley keeps much of his personal life private, and details about a spouse or children have not been publicly shared. Off the ice, he has engaged with fans through his social media channels, including his verified account on X and his Instagram profile. His career has been the primary focus of his public identity since turning professional.
2025 Season Performance
Devin Cooley entered the 2025 season as a goaltender on a two-year contract with the Calgary Flames. With the Flames refining their crease options, he was positioned to compete for NHL minutes while continuing to develop his game. The year offered him a chance to build on the momentum of his first NHL win and his strong AHL track record.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Cooley worked within the Flames’ goaltending structure, contributing both at the NHL level and through assignments when needed. His blend of size, calmness under pressure, and AHL experience gave Calgary a reliable depth option. Coaches emphasized his steady development and his ability to step in when called upon.
As the 2025 season progressed, Cooley remained a watchable storyline within the Flames organization. His undrafted background, his San Jose roots, and his college success at Denver all combined to make him a compelling story. Continued strong performances could position him for an expanded role with the Flames heading into future seasons.
