In some interviews, an NHL player runs through the checklist. Clipped answers, happy enough to be done with the interview and get back to whatever else comes next. Then there are the interviews where you think the player has his head screwed on straight and is really thinking through his answers. Devin Cooley’s comments after signing his extension with the Flames fall right inside that second category.
What jumps out right away is how grounded the young guy sounds. When Cooley talks, you don’t hear panic or desperation. You hear someone who gets his situation and is okay with taking the longer road. For a goalie, especially one who’s 28 now, that mindset can go a long way.
Here are three reasons Cooley loves playing in Calgary.
Reason One: Cooley Knows He’s in the Right Place to Grow
Cooley keeps coming back to development. For him, that doesn’t sound like a buzzword. He’s just a guy who has laid out an efficient plan. He knows he still needs to play many more games. He’s pretty open about that. He talks about wanting to get 100 or so NHL games under his belt, learn how the league really works, and show, over time, that he belongs here.
Calgary gives him that chance. He gets to work behind Dustin Wolf, whom he calls one of the best goalies in the world. As he sees the road ahead, part of it is learning the day-to-day rhythms of the NHL in a place where the expectations are clear. He doesn’t need shortcuts, just the work. No pretending he’s already finished learning—just steady work.
Reason Two: For Cooley, Comfort Isn’t a Dirty Word
One of the most candid parts of the interview was when Cooley discussed the goalie department. He didn’t hedge. He flat-out said they’ve “saved” his career. That’s not something players throw around lightly. As a result, he trusts the goalie coaches.
The system they’ve set up fits his game. He knows what’s being asked of him and why. For a goalie, that kind of alignment matters more than fans sometimes realize. You can chase opportunity elsewhere, but if the fit is wrong, it can set you back fast. Cooley clearly doesn’t want to roll those dice right now.
Devin Cooley is happy to be with the Flames.
Reason Three: Cooley’s Personal Life Matters, Too
This is where the maturity really shows. Cooley talks about Calgary like someone who actually lives there—not just works there. He loves the city. His girlfriend is happy. He’s excited about the new arena. These aren’t throwaway lines. They’re part of his overall decision.
He even acknowledges the professional reality of hockey. If things go great, maybe someday he will spread his wings. If not? He will be genuinely happy with the idea of staying right where he is.
Pretty Refreshing to See a Goalie Settled Like Cooley Is
That’s the refreshing part. Cooley is genuine. There’s no drama with this guy. He’s just a young goalie who loves to play and seems over the moon to be doing it in Calgary. For the Flames, it shows they are doing something right to make their players (and their families) so settled into the city.
Huge advantage for the Flames’ future, even if it isn’t with Cooley.
Related: Marc-André Fleury and the Oilers: Addressing the 3 Biggest Objections
