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Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov used his post-game platform on Saturday to publicly acknowledge Calgary Flames netminder Devin Cooley for his openness regarding the mental health challenges faced by goalies. Following Murashov's first NHL victory—a 5-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings—the 22-year-old took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Cooley through the media.
"I want to pass a media message to Devin Cooley," Murashov said. "I saw he was really popular recently, and like most of the goalies are going through something like he's talking about, but not a lot actually speak aloud. So, just thank you to him for what he's saying, and it helps. It genuinely just helped me a little bit too." Murashov's win came after a stretch of difficult games in which he faced heavy shot volumes and breakdowns in the Penguins' defensive zone. He stopped 18 of 20 shots against the Kings, earning just his second win in 11 career NHL appearances.
On Monday, Cooley responded to Murashov's gesture. "I did not see it, but I heard about it from multiple people telling me," Cooley said. "I heard it was awesome, and I've gotten messages from other guys in the league, too, who have reached out. I'm like, 'that's really cool.'" He then added with a laugh, "I'm glad I can do something instead of just play a sport because that doesn't really make a huge impact on humanity."
Key Analysis
The exchange highlights a growing conversation around mental health in professional hockey, particularly among goaltenders who face unique pressures. Cooley's willingness to speak candidly has resonated with peers, as evidenced by the supportive messages he received from other players. Murashov's public acknowledgment underscores the solidarity within the goaltending community and the positive impact of athletes using their platforms to address mental well-being.
Originally reported by yahoo.