Pheonix Copley

Pheonix Copley Bio

Pheonix Copley is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently under contract with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Born on January 18, 1992, in North Pole, Alaska, Copley carved out an unlikely path to the NHL as an undrafted player. His journey through junior hockey, college, and the American Hockey League eventually led him to become a reliable NHL starter. Copley reached the pinnacle of the sport when he was part of the Washington Capitals team that won the 2018 Stanley Cup, though he did not appear in any playoff games. He later established himself as the starting goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings during the 2022-23 season, becoming just the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win seven consecutive games. Beyond his hockey career, Copley founded Athletes Apothecary, an athletic tea company, in 2022 to help other athletes with nutrition and recovery.

Early Life and Background

Pheonix Copley was born on January 18, 1992, in North Pole, Alaska, to parents Peter Copley and Mary Sanford. His older brother, Navarone Copley, also pursued a career in professional ice hockey. At a young age, Copley’s family relocated to Ohio so his father could pursue an advanced degree. The family eventually returned to Alaska after his parents divorced, with his mother Mary and brother Navarone joining him there. Copley’s childhood in Alaska, particularly his hometown of North Pole, would later inspire a distinctive element of his hockey identity. In honor of his birthplace, he chose to feature candy canes on his goaltender mask, a creative nod to the town where he was born.

Path to Professional Hockey

Copley developed his game in Alaska before moving through the junior hockey ranks. He played in the United States Hockey League, North America’s top junior league, suiting up for the Tri-City Storm and the Des Moines Buccaneers. His performance in the USHL earned him a collegiate opportunity, and he committed to play for Michigan Tech of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. After two seasons with the Huskies, Copley made the decision to forgo his remaining college eligibility and turn professional. On March 20, 2014, he signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals, beginning his professional career at the age of 22.

Pheonix Copley Career

Early Professional Career (2014-2017)

Following the signing with Washington, Copley was assigned to the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, for his first full professional season in 2014-15. He impressed in a shared goaltending role, recording 17 wins in 26 games with the Bears. His strong showing caught the attention of another NHL organization. On July 2, 2015, Copley was included in a significant trade that sent him to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for T.J. Oshie. The deal also included forward Troy Brouwer and a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

St. Louis Blues Breakthrough (2015-2017)

During the 2015-16 season, Copley made his National Hockey League debut with the Blues. He entered a game in relief against the Nashville Predators on February 27, 2016, though the Blues lost that contest. The following season brought his first career NHL start on January 21, 2017, when the Blues faced the Winnipeg Jets. Copley turned in a solid performance despite the team falling 5-3 to the Jets. On February 27, 2017, just days after his first start, Copley was traded back to the Washington Capitals in a notable deadline deal. The Capitals acquired him along with Kevin Shattenkirk in exchange for Zach Sanford, Brad Malone, a 2017 first-round pick, and a conditional second-round pick in 2019.

Washington Capitals Era (2017-2022)

Copley joined the Capitals organization at a pivotal moment. During the 2017-18 season, he was called up to the NHL roster during the team’s playoff run as depth behind Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer. While Copley did not see game action during the postseason, he remained with the team throughout their championship run as they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights to win the 2018 Stanley Cup. The following season, Copley made the Capitals’ opening-night roster and recorded his first career NHL win in dramatic fashion. On October 27, 2018, he stopped 38 shots in a 4-3 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames. Copley spent the subsequent two seasons with the Hershey Bears in the AHL, where he earned recognition for his outstanding play. In 2020-21, he shared the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award with Zachary Fucale, given to the AHL goaltender with the best save percentage that season.

Los Angeles Kings Era (2022-Present)

After the 2021-22 season, Copley tested free agency and signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 13, 2022. The move provided him with an opportunity to compete for more playing time with a franchise in transition. When starting goaltenders Cal Petersen and Jonathan Quick struggled early in the 2022-23 season, the Kings recalled Copley from the Ontario Reign in December 2022. He quickly seized the opportunity and established himself as the team’s number one goaltender. Copley’s breakthrough performance included a remarkable streak, becoming just the fifth goaltender in Kings franchise history to win seven consecutive games. His consistent play helped stabilize the goaltending position for Los Angeles during a crucial stretch of the season.

Driving Style and Strengths

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Copley uses his size effectively to take away angles and block shots from opposing shooters. As a left-catching goaltender, he possesses solid positioning and the ability to track the puck through traffic. His composure under pressure and rebound control have been key factors in his success at the NHL level. Copley’s experience developing through the college and minor league ranks provided him with the technical foundation and mental toughness necessary to compete at hockey’s highest level despite never being drafted.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Copley has achieved several significant milestones that underscore his remarkable journey. Winning the 2018 Stanley Cup with Washington, even without playing, represents the pinnacle of his accomplishments. His first NHL win against Calgary in October 2018 marked a career-defining moment after years of development in the minors. The 2020-21 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award validated his strong play in the AHL. His seven-game winning streak with Los Angeles in 2022-23 placed him among the franchise’s all-time great goaltending performances and solidified his status as an NHL starter.

Pheonix Copley Career Wins

Copley’s career has been marked by steady progression from undrafted prospect to reliable NHL goaltender. His career includes NHL wins at the sport’s highest level, AHL championships with Hershey, and recognition as one of the league’s top goaltenders at the minor league level.

Los Angeles Kings Highlights

During the 2022-23 season with Los Angeles, Copley emerged as the team’s primary goaltender and delivered several standout performances. His seven-game winning streak represented the longest such run in Kings franchise history in recent memory. The achievement placed him alongside some of the most celebrated goaltenders in the organization’s storied history. Prior to his injury in December 2023, Copley had established himself as a crucial component of the Kings’ playoff push.

Other Achievements

Before joining the Kings, Copley compiled an impressive record in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears. His 17-win season in 2014-15 demonstrated his ability to compete at the AHL level. The Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award he earned in 2020-21 highlighted his excellence in net, as he posted the best save percentage among qualified goaltenders in the league that season.

Pheonix Copley Family

Family Background and Hockey Lineage

Copley grew up in North Pole, Alaska, before his family relocated to Ohio for his father’s educational pursuits. After his parents divorced, his mother Mary Sanford and brother Navarone returned with him to Alaska. His older brother Navarone also plays professional ice hockey, making hockey a family affair for the Copleys. The brothers share a bond through their shared profession and the unique path both took to reach professional levels of the sport.

Personal Life

Beyond hockey, Copley has developed entrepreneurial pursuits. In 2022, he founded Athletes Apothecary, an athletic tea company. The venture was inspired by his own challenges with diet and injuries throughout his career. Copley continues to operate the business as a way to help other athletes facing similar difficulties and to promote high-quality sports nutrition. His candy cane-themed goaltender mask serves as a tribute to his hometown of North Pole, Alaska, reflecting the personal connection he maintains to the place where he was born and first began playing hockey.

2025 Season Performance

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Copley’s career took an unexpected turn when the Los Angeles Kings placed him on waivers on October 1, 2025. He was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning the following day, adding him to their goaltending depth. However, without appearing in a game for Tampa Bay, Copley was returned to the Kings in a trade for future considerations on October 15, 2025. This series of transactions demonstrated his value as an experienced NHL goaltender capable of providing depth for contenders. As he rejoined the Kings organization, Copley positioned himself as a veteran presence in their goaltending corps, offering experience and reliability should injuries or performance issues arise during the season ahead.