Goaltender Pheonix Copley of North Pole continued a month of Alaska milestones in the NHL on Saturday when he became the 16th Alaskan, and just the second masked man from the 49th state, to play in the world's premier hockey league.
Copley, 24, made his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues in the second period of their 5-0 loss at Nashville. Copley stopped five of six shots in 24-plus minutes after taking over for Jake Allen.
The second-year pro became the first Alaskan to make his NHL debut since winger Casey Bailey of Anchorage came straight out of Penn State and played for the Toronto Maple Leafs last March.
This is the third straight season an Alaskan has made his NHL debut. Winger Justin Johnson of Anchorage debuted for the New York Islanders in 2014.
Before Copley, the only Alaskan goaltender to work between the pipes in the NHL was Ty Conklin of Anchorage. Conklin, incidentally, is the Blues' goalie development coach.
Copley is the first Alaskan from outside the Anchorage area to play in the NHL. The previous 15 Alaskans who ascended to the NHL grew up in either Anchorage or the Eagle River-Chugiak area.
Copley debuted in the same month Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle of Anchorage played his 700th NHL regular-season game, Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky of Anchorage played his 600th NHL game and Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson played his 500th NHL game.
Copley debuted just in the nick of time. The Blues acquired goalie Anders Nilsson from the Edmonton Oilers earlier Saturday, and Copley after his debut was assigned back to the Chicago Wolves, St. Louis' affiliate in the American Hockey League, one notch below the NHL.
The Nilsson deal also featured an Alaska connection. The Oilers received a fifth-round draft pick and goalie Niklas Lundstrom, who played for the ECHL's Alaska Aces last season.
The 6-foot-4, 196-pound Copley turned pro in 2014 following his sophomore season at Michigan Tech. He signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent, agreeing to a two-year deal with a $185,000 signing bonus and a maximum value of $1.85 million.
Copley, who has spent the majority of the season in the AHL, earns a pro-rated annual salary of $767,500 when he is up in the NHL and an annual salary of $70,000 when he is in the league commonly referred to as "The A.'' He will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Copley in July was traded to St. Louis from Washington as part of the deal that shipped winger T.J. Oshie to the Capitals and moved forward Troy Brouwer to the Blues.
Another Alaska connection for Copley has been Blues rookie Colton Parayko, the former UAF defenseman who last spring signed with St. Louis, the team that drafted him, following his junior season.
Prior to his two seasons at Michigan Tech, Copley played one season in the U.S. Hockey League, the country's top junior circuit, one season in the North American Hockey League and one season in the North American Prospects Hockey League.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockeyblog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr
MAKING THE SHOW
Goaltender Pheonix Copley of North Pole became the 16th Alaskan, and just second goaltender, to play in the NHL when he made his debut Saturday for the St. Louis Blues.
Here are those 16, when they debuted in the NHL, which team they played for and how many career games they have logged in the world's best league:
Player Position Team Date of Debut NHL Career Games
Pheonix Copley Goaltender St. Louis Blues Feb. 27, 2016 1
Casey Bailey Wing Toronto Maple Leafs March 26, 2015 6
Justin Johnson Wing New York Islanders April 11, 2014 2
Tim Wallace Wing Pittsburgh Penguins Dec. 10, 2008 101
Joey Crabb Wing Atlanta Thrashers Nov. 28, 2008 179
Brandon Dubinsky Center New York Rangers March 8, 2007 601
Nate Thompson Center Boston Bruins Oct. 21, 2006 503
Matt Carle Defense San Jose Sharks March 25, 2006 705
Jason Ryznar* Wing New Jersey Devils Jan. 8, 2006 8
Ty Conklin* Goaltender Edmonton Oilers Oct. 16, 2001 216
Barrett Heisten* Wing New York Rangers Oct. 5, 2001 10
Brian Swanson* Center Edmonton Oilers Oct. 6, 2000 70
B.J. Young** Wing Detroit Red Wings Nov. 28, 1999 1
Scott Gomez Center New Jersey Devils Oct. 2, 1999 1,066
Scott Parker* Wing Colorado Avalanche Nov. 28, 1998 308
Ty Jones* Wing Chicago Blackhawks Oct. 10, 1998 14
* Retired
** Deceased