Cooper Black’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

Cooper Black is an American professional ice hockey goaltender in the Florida Panthers organization of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 14, 2001, in Michigan, Black grew up in Alpena and became known for his remarkable height, athleticism, and determination to reach professional hockey.

Beyond his hockey career, Black comes from a supportive American family. His parents are Ed Black and Meaghan Black, and he has two siblings: one brother and one sister.

His family’s encouragement played an important role in his development from a high school goaltender in northern Michigan to an NHL player. On October 22, 2026, Black made his NHL debut with Florida, becoming the tallest goaltender to appear in an NHL game at 6 feet 9 inches.

Although Black has discussed his parents and brother publicly, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.

Cooper Black’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?

Cooper Black has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner.

The American goaltender generally keeps his dating life separate from his professional hockey career.

Most of his public interviews focus on his development as a goaltender, his experiences at Dartmouth College, and the support he received from his family.

There is no sufficiently reliable public reporting identifying a current girlfriend or establishing the details of a romantic relationship.

Is Cooper Black Married?

There is no verified public information confirming that Cooper Black is married or engaged.

Neither his official Dartmouth College biography nor his Florida Panthers player announcements identify a wife.

However, the absence of a public announcement does not establish whether he is single. His relationship status remains private.

Cooper Black’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?

There is no publicly confirmed information indicating that Cooper Black has children.

The Florida Panthers goaltender has not announced the birth of a son or daughter, and reliable hockey reporting has not identified any children belonging to him.

Does Cooper Black Have a Son?

No son has been publicly confirmed. His interviews and official player biographies do not provide verified information identifying a male child.

Does Cooper Black Have a Daughter?

There is also no reliable public confirmation that Cooper Black has a daughter.

Although he has discussed his relationship with his parents and siblings, he has not publicly spoken about being a father.

Cooper Black’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother

Cooper Black is the son of Ed Black and Meaghan Black, according to his official Dartmouth College athletics biography.

His parents raised their family in Alpena, Michigan, where Cooper developed an interest in ice hockey.

Both parents supported his sporting ambitions despite the financial commitments, travel, and uncertainty associated with pursuing competitive hockey.

Cooper Black’s Father: Ed Black

Ed Black is Cooper Black’s father and one of the most important supporters of his hockey career.

In a January 2024 interview published by College Hockey News, Ed discussed the challenges and rewards of watching his son progress through junior and collegiate hockey.

He explained that Cooper had always loved hockey and worked exceptionally hard to improve.

However, reaching the professional level had never been guaranteed.

When Cooper was young, Ed encouraged him to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the goaltending position before investing in expensive equipment.

According to College Hockey News, Cooper briefly stopped playing hockey at approximately four years old because he disliked putting on the equipment.

He returned to the sport around age six.

At that stage, his father preferred borrowing some equipment rather than immediately purchasing specialized goaltending skates and pads.

Ed wanted his son to show that he was serious about continuing in hockey.

Over time, Cooper developed a lasting passion for the sport.

Ed Black’s Reaction to Cooper’s Hockey Success

As Cooper progressed from high school hockey to junior competition, his father continued supporting him through setbacks and difficult decisions.

One important challenge came after Cooper finished high school and began looking for opportunities in junior hockey.

He attended several tryouts without immediately securing a place on a team.

Despite the disappointment, his family encouraged him to continue pursuing his goals.

In January 2024, Ed told College Hockey News that he found it difficult to comprehend how close his son had come to reaching the NHL.

The possibility represented an extraordinary achievement for a family whose hockey journey began in a small Michigan community.

Ed’s exact professional occupation has not been reliably established in the available hockey reporting.

Cooper Black’s Mother: Meaghan Black

Meaghan Black is Cooper Black’s mother and another important influence in his life.

Her name is confirmed in his official Dartmouth College athletics biography.

Meaghan helped support Cooper through the challenges of youth hockey, high school competition, and the transition to junior and college hockey.

In a 2026 interview on the Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast, Cooper recalled how difficult the junior hockey tryout process had been for him.

He explained that he was rejected by several teams while searching for an opportunity to continue his development.

His mother was upset by some of those setbacks because she wanted to see him succeed.

Although Cooper understood that teams had to make difficult decisions, the experience showed how emotionally invested his family was in his progress.

Meaghan’s professional occupation and other personal details have not been widely documented in reliable public sources.

Cooper Black’s Parents Attend His NHL Debut

One of the most memorable family moments occurred on October 22, 2026, when Black made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His parents traveled to Pittsburgh to attend the game.

Other relatives, including his brother, grandfather, and uncle, were also present.

The appearance was especially meaningful because Cooper had taken an unconventional route to the NHL.

He had not been selected in the NHL Entry Draft and spent several years developing through junior hockey, Dartmouth College, and the minor leagues.

After the game, he publicly thanked his parents for the financial sacrifices, time, and effort they had invested in his development.

Black explained that he would not have reached the NHL without their support.

He also admitted that he deliberately avoided searching for his relatives in the crowd during the game because he wanted to remain focused on his performance.

Despite Florida losing 4-0, the occasion represented a major achievement for the entire Black family.

Cooper Black’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?

Cooper Black has one brother and one sister. This information is confirmed by his official Dartmouth College player biography.

However, the first names and detailed personal backgrounds of his siblings have not been reliably established in the available reporting.

Cooper Black’s Brother

Cooper Black has a brother who shares the family’s notably tall stature.

According to a January 2024 College Hockey News feature, Cooper’s brother was approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall.

The article noted that Cooper’s father was approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and expressed surprise at how tall his sons had become.

Cooper experienced a significant growth spurt during his teenage years, eventually reaching 6 feet 9 inches.

His brother’s height attracted attention because it showed that Cooper was not the only unusually tall member of the family.

In October 2026, Cooper’s brother attended his NHL debut against Pittsburgh, joining other relatives for the important occasion.

Although his brother is publicly acknowledged, his name, occupation, age, and athletic background have not been reliably confirmed.

Cooper Black’s Sister

Cooper Black also has a sister, as confirmed by Dartmouth College.

However, she has maintained a private public profile, and reliable hockey reporting does not identify her by name.

There is insufficient verified information about her age, occupation, education, or involvement in competitive sports.

Therefore, it would be inappropriate to speculate about her personal life.

Cooper Black’s Extended Family

Cooper’s extended family has also participated in important moments throughout his hockey career.

When he made his NHL debut in October 2026, his grandfather and uncle attended the game in Pittsburgh.

Their presence demonstrated that his achievement was celebrated by more than his immediate family.

Although their names have not been reliably identified in public coverage, the support of his extended relatives formed part of the story surrounding his first NHL appearance.

Cooper Black’s Childhood and Family Background

Cooper Black was born on June 14, 2001, in Michigan and grew up in Alpena, a community in the northern Lower Peninsula.

In a 2026 podcast interview, he explained that his parents moved to northern Michigan when he was approximately three years old.

No one in his immediate family had previously been deeply involved in ice hockey.

However, because the family lived in an area where winter sports were popular, his parents encouraged him to try hockey.

Black initially participated in local recreational programs before progressing to more competitive youth teams.

Growing up in Alpena presented challenges because the region was far from many of Michigan’s strongest junior hockey programs.

Cooper and his family often traveled substantial distances to attend competitions against stronger teams.

At approximately 14 years old, he spent a season playing higher-level youth hockey with the Little Caesars organization in the Detroit area.

He later returned to Alpena and continued developing as a high school goaltender.

Cooper Black’s High School Hockey Career

Black attended Alpena High School, where he played for the Wildcats hockey team.

His development was guided by longtime coach Chris Limback.

During the 2018–19 season, Black emerged as one of the leading high school goaltenders in Michigan.

According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, he began that season with five consecutive shutouts and established a scoreless streak exceeding 258 minutes.

His improved confidence and performances attracted attention from junior hockey programs.

Black was eventually recognized as Michigan Hockey Goalie of the Year.

However, his path to professional hockey remained uncertain after high school.

How Cooper Black’s Family Supported His Unusual Journey to the NHL

Unlike many NHL players who were drafted as teenagers, Cooper Black had to work his way through several competitive levels without the security of an NHL draft selection.

After high school, he attended multiple junior hockey tryouts before finding opportunities to continue playing.

He eventually joined the Maryland Black Bears in the North American Hockey League and later played for the Odessa Jackalopes.

During this period, Black spent time traveling between training facilities and his hometown while working to support himself.

According to College Hockey News, he worked as a waiter during part of his development.

He later joined the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League.

During the 2021–22 season, he recorded a 24-7-1 record and a .924 save percentage, helping Nanaimo reach the Coastal Conference championship.

His improvement eventually earned him an opportunity to attend Dartmouth College.

Throughout this journey, his parents continued providing encouragement even when his future in hockey remained uncertain.

Cooper Black’s College Hockey Career at Dartmouth

Cooper Black joined Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, for the 2022–23 NCAA season.

He quickly became the team’s starting goaltender and earned recognition on the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team.

During the 2023–24 season, he played in 30 games, recording a 2.58 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

His performances helped Dartmouth reach the ECAC Hockey semifinals for the first time since 2016.

Black also earned Second-Team All-ECAC Hockey honors and became a finalist for the Ken Dryden ECAC Goaltender of the Year Award.

While at Dartmouth, his academic interests included business and psychology, and he considered future career opportunities involving law and business.

On April 2, 2024, the Florida Panthers announced that Black had signed a two-year entry-level contract.

The signing represented an important achievement for a player who had previously struggled to find junior hockey opportunities.

Cooper Black’s Professional Career and Historic NHL Debut

After signing with Florida, Black began developing professionally in the Panthers’ minor-league system.

He played for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League and the Savannah Ghost Pirates in the ECHL.

During the 2025–26 AHL season, he appeared in 42 games for Charlotte, recording a 25-13-4 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage.

His performances earned him a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Florida Panthers on June 8, 2026.

Florida recalled Black from Charlotte in October 2026 after injuries affected the team’s goaltending depth.

On October 22, 2026, he made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall, Black became the tallest goaltender in NHL history.

He stopped 18 of the 21 shots directed at him during the game, while Pittsburgh also scored an empty-net goal in its 4-0 victory.

Although he did not earn a win, his debut attracted national media attention and represented a significant achievement for his family.

On November 2, 2026, Florida reassigned him to the Charlotte Checkers following the return of veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Black remains under contract with the Panthers organization through the 2027–28 season.

Cooper Black’s Interests Outside Hockey

Outside professional hockey, Cooper Black enjoys several recreational activities.

According to his official Dartmouth College biography, his hobbies include fishing, golf, and disc golf.

These activities provide opportunities to relax away from the demanding schedule of professional hockey.

He has also maintained connections with his hometown of Alpena, where local supporters closely followed his progress toward the NHL.

After his NHL debut, Black expressed appreciation for photographs showing young hockey players gathered at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena to watch him compete against Pittsburgh.

The moment demonstrated the connection he continues to maintain with the community where his hockey journey began.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooper Black’s Family

Who is Cooper Black’s girlfriend?

Cooper Black has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner.

Is Cooper Black married?

There is no reliable public confirmation that Cooper Black is married or engaged.

Does Cooper Black have children?

There is no verified public information indicating that Cooper Black has a son or daughter.

Who is Cooper Black’s father?

His father is Ed Black, who supported Cooper’s development through youth, junior, college, and professional hockey.

Who is Cooper Black’s mother?

His mother is Meaghan Black, whose name is confirmed in his official Dartmouth College athletics biography.

Does Cooper Black have siblings?

Yes. Cooper Black has one brother and one sister.

Who is Cooper Black’s brother?

His brother’s name has not been reliably confirmed. However, College Hockey News reported in 2024 that he was approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall.

Does Cooper Black have a sister?

Yes. His official Dartmouth College biography confirms that he has one sister, although her name has not been publicly verified.

Did Cooper Black’s family attend his NHL debut?

Yes. His parents, brother, grandfather, and uncle attended his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 22, 2026.

Where is Cooper Black from?

Cooper Black grew up in Alpena, Michigan, United States, where he played high school hockey before pursuing junior and collegiate competition.

Which NHL team does Cooper Black belong to?

Cooper Black belongs to the Florida Panthers organization. He was reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on November 2, 2026.

How tall is Cooper Black?

Cooper Black is 6 feet 9 inches tall, making him the tallest goaltender to have appeared in an NHL game.

When did Cooper Black make his NHL debut?

He made his NHL debut on October 22, 2026, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Was Cooper Black drafted into the NHL?

No. Cooper Black was undrafted and signed with the Florida Panthers as a free agent on April 2, 2024.