Flames Goalkeeper Devin Cooley Prepares for His Chance in Net

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf has been the sole guardian of the net for the team throughout the current season. He is set to start again on Tuesday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome against the Vegas Golden Knights. Head coach Ryan Huska confirmed Wolf’s continued role on Monday morning, emphasizing the importance of having a solid backup ready for upcoming challenges.

With a demanding schedule ahead, including a match against the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, the Flames will need Devin Cooley to step in and relieve Wolf. Huska noted, “I feel like he’s been doing the things he has to do in practice. He’s out earlier with goaltending coach Jason Labarbera, working later, and taking all the shots he needs to take.” The emphasis is on treating practice as if it were a game, allowing Cooley to maintain his readiness.

Preparation is vital for Cooley, who has not yet played a game this season. “The challenge when he hasn’t played a game yet is he has to treat practice like it’s an actual game,” Huska added. This approach helps ensure that Cooley can perform at his best when called upon.

The Flames are cautious about overworking Wolf early in the season. Last week, he played both games in a back-to-back series against Edmonton and Vancouver. His performance against the Canucks showed signs of fatigue, a common issue for goalies facing such a demanding schedule. Given this context, Cooley’s readiness is crucial.

“When the time comes for me to play, it’s going to be on me whether I’m ready or not,” the 28-year-old Cooley stated. “You can’t just go ‘Oh, I haven’t practised in a couple of days’ or ‘We had late-night travel.’ That’s my role, to go in and give the team a chance to win on a night where maybe it’s a little harder for the guys to get going.”

Cooley secured the backup role during training camp, narrowly beating out Ivan Prosvetov. Despite this achievement, Cooley had a challenging pre-season, registering a 4.08 goals-against average and a save percentage of .846. While those statistics may not inspire confidence, Cooley is focused on the future: “All I can do is be ready to do better when I’m called on. That’s a process that plays out every single day.”

As the Flames navigate the early part of the season, the balance between ensuring Wolf’s performance and preparing Cooley will be crucial. The upcoming matches will test both goalkeepers, but Cooley’s diligence in practice will be key to his success when he finally gets his shot in the crease.