NHL1 hr ago
Devin Cooley's Mindset Sets Him Apart as Flames Goalie
The Calgary netminder blends elite play with a distinctive outlook on performance and life away from the rink.
· 2 min read
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Flow State Focus
Devin Cooley delivered strong results in net for Calgary, earning the NHL's second star honor for the week ending Oct. 25. He described shifting from an unconscious to a conscious state during play and stressed letting his automatic responses take over to avoid overthinking. High-performance psychologist Michael Gervais noted that Cooley reaches an optimal flow state more often than most athletes, who manage it only about 20 percent of the time. Former goalie Mike Condon, who played 129 games in the NHL, observed that Cooley's approach offers a different mental roadmap focused on acceptance rather than forced confidence.
Life Beyond the Ice
The Los Gatos, California native keeps a pet rabbit named Tito and studies linear algebra in his free time. He first drew widespread attention two years ago while with the San Jose Sharks by sharing a blunt perspective on priorities. His first pro coach with the Florida Everblades in the 2020-21 season recalled Cooley asking many questions and working on advanced coding during travel. Goalie coach Jason LaBarbera highlighted how the undrafted free agent signed two years ago has grown into a key part of the Flames' plans, recently earning four straight starts with a 1.50 goals-against average and 0.955 save percentage.
Team Influence
Teammates appreciate Cooley's presence in the locker room. Defenseman Joel Hanley has shared extended conversations on broader topics. Veteran Ryan Strome pointed to the joy Cooley brings and his consistent work ethic. Condon has shared clips of Cooley's methods with younger goalies to illustrate handling pressure before games. Last season Cooley posted a 0.909 save percentage that helped secure an invitation to the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
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