Reid Cooper was just a play away from making some local hockey history Thursday night.
The former Robert Morris Colonial signed an amateur tryout contract with the Washington Capitals to be their backup goaltender during the franchise’s regular-season finale against the New Jersey Devils.
If Cooper had gotten on the ice, he would’ve become the first RMU product to play in an NHL game. Another former Colonials goaltender, Christian Boucher, also played an emergency backup role for the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks.
Congrats to former @RMUMHockey goalie Reid Cooper: He will be the EBUG for the Washington Capitals tonight. He was a DIII All-American for Curry College this year.
He joins Christian Boucher (Chicago, Anaheim) as Colonials to serve as the EBUG for an NHL Team
????@JustinBerlPhoto pic.twitter.com/vDbMAwKRm7— Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation (@PghCHF) April 13, 2023
Welcome to the NHL, Reid Cooper. pic.twitter.com/GeoGTAzB4q
— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) April 13, 2023
Reid Cooper was in Massachusetts with his roommates watching the Bourne Supremacy. Then, his phone lit up, and he was flying to D.C.
The DIII netminder reflects on his whirlwind journey after inking an ATO to join the Capitals as Darcy Kuemper's backup:https://t.co/YAEl5w4bBk
— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) April 13, 2023
Cooper played three years for the Colonials. He went to Curry College after the university scuttled its hockey programs at the end of the 2021 season. He was a DIII All-American for Curry College this year.
Via the Washington Post, Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren had been injured against the Bruins on Tuesday night, and the team didn’t have any cap space to replace him. So director of player recruitment Danny Brooks got in touch with Cooper through a common connection at Bowdoin College — a team Cooper shut out with a 37-save performance last month in an overtime win in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
“I guess they spoke highly of me,” Cooper told the Post.
Cooper got a practice in before game night, stopping shots against Alex Ovechkin.
“Just trying to stay in the moment the best I can and enjoy the opportunity,” Cooper said during the Caps game broadcast. “The skate was pretty awesome. The first shot by Ovi was right by the ears. It was great, though. The game is great too.”
Surprise, Reid Cooper, you're a Washington Capital tonight!!
Tune into the final period of the @Capitals season NOW on @NBCSWashington!@RealSmokinAl | #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/t7LoNeR1Wi
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 14, 2023
The Capitals allowed Cooper to lead the team out for warm-ups and take a rookie lap.
Reid Cooper leading the #ALLCAPS out to the ice for pregame warmups against the #NJDevils . #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/Ogo5uHa0uj
— Xperience Hockey (@TXHT_Hockey) April 14, 2023
Rookie lap for Reid Cooper.
Signed an ATO to back up for Caps tonight. pic.twitter.com/kvaBKdhSJL
— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) April 13, 2023
The Devils ended up beating Washington 5-4. Cooper did not get into the game. But his parents were able to make it to Washington to see their son take the ice in an NHL uniform. He has finished his college career and told the Post he doesn’t know what’s next in terms of his hockey journey.
As for his first college, both the RMU men’s and women’s teams return to the ice this fall at the Island Sports Center.
