Calgary Netminder: Psychological Routine Drives Recent Success

Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames posted a 0.955 save percentage over his last four starts, a statistic that reflects a deliberate shift in his mental approach to goaltending. The Los Gatos, California, native relies on a specific routine to avoid overthinking his movements on the ice.

Cooley signed with Calgary as an unheralded free agent two years ago. He began his career as a projected American Hockey League starter but has since secured a regular role alongside Dustin Wolf. His performance metrics have improved steadily. Last season, he recorded a 0.909 save percentage, which earned him a spot on the 2026 IIHF World Championship roster.

The netminder describes his current mental state as fully controlled. On Oct. 18, he explained that enjoying the game too much can shift him from an unconscious to a conscious mindset. He noted that his conscious brain struggles with the physical demands of the position. A week later, he stated he felt in complete control of his mind. He spends his downtime reading with his pet rabbit, Tito, rather than analyzing game footage.

Michael Gervais, a high-performance psychologist who has worked with the Seattle Seahawks, supports Cooley's method. Gervais explained that the conscious mind is useful for learning but inefficient for execution. He stated that consciously tracking glove placement causes a player to react too late. Gervais observed that athletes typically enter a flow state for only 20% of their practice time, whereas Cooley appears to sustain that focus for much longer periods.

Former NHL goalie Mike Condon, who played 129 games, offered a contrasting perspective. Condon said he relied on courage rather than confidence to succeed. He noted that Cooley provides a different roadmap for young goalies beyond simple positive thinking. Condon now shows Cooley's interview clips to the players he coaches.

Cooley's background includes studying linear algebra and coding. Brad Ralph, his first professional coach with the ECHL's Florida Everblades in 2020-21, recalled Cooley typing complex code on a laptop during team bus rides. Ralph described him as a smart individual. Cooley first gained national attention two years ago while with the San Jose Sharks, when he told reporters that nothing would matter because everyone would eventually die.

Calgary goalie coach Jason LaBarbera said Cooley played off feel when he signed. The team has integrated him into its daily rhythm. Defenseman Joel Hanley reports having philosophical discussions with Cooley during meals. Veteran Ryan Strome said Cooley brings joy to the locker room and loves to compete. The Flames have scheduled their next games following their current streak.