Following the departure of Ivan Fedotov to Russia on a contract to play for HC Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League, the Columbus Blue Jackets were down to two netminders with NHL experience on contract: Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins. Don Waddell hasn't been particularly quiet in the past about the important need he feels in having at least three goaltenders signed to NHL deals that have experience playing in the top league in the world.
Thankfully, unlike last season, he solved that issue early on in the offseason, and it's a name that has some familiarity to hockey in central Ohio: Pheonix Copley.
Copley, 34, is a long time North American professional leagues veteran. Following his first few professional games in the ECHL in 2012-13, Copley has bounced between the AHL and NHL for over a decade.
The 6'4", 205 lbs. netminder from North Pole, Alaska (he'll become the second native Alaskan player in franchise history, next to Brandon Dubinsky) has played in 78 career games at the National Hockey league since then, posting a respectable 2.85 GAA. a 898 Save % and 3 shutouts across his career with the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings.
Pheonix also has some local roots that make this move a bit more special.
I moved to a small town outside Columbus when I was 1 and left for Alaska at 7. Ohio is where I first fell in love with hockey, watching the Columbus Chill and seeing how much the game meant there.
— Pheonix Copley (@PheonixCopley) July 7, 2026
Having the opportunity to sign with the Blue Jackets means a lot. I’m ready to… pic.twitter.com/W7yvN6Q6k5
While on the Garage Beers Podcast back in late July, he described driving by Nationwide Arena while it was under construction and being excited at that young age for hockey to come to Central Ohio. Now, over a quarter-century later, he ends up signed to that franchise as a goaltender.
It'll be interesting to see if the Blue Jackets decide to send Copley down on waivers to try to get him to Cleveland, or if they decide to carry three goaltenders on the NHL roster through the season. Copley was claimed off of waivers after training camp last summer by the Tampa Bay Lightning before being traded back to LA in exchange for "future considerations."
With a league-minimum contract, albeit not on a two-way deal, it's possible Pheonix might be claimed again, should the Jackets attempt to send him down. That would send the CBJ scrambling to attempt to find another guy that can fulfill the organization's #3 role immediately, which I know would keep Don Waddell up at night until that role could be fulfilled.
As a result, the Jackets have to be careful about when they attempt to waive Copley to try to get him to AHL Cleveland, or plan on carrying three goaltenders for the season. Otherwise, they'll face another Spencer Martin situation (Who, ironically, was claimed by Don Waddell in his final season in Carolina).
Should he end up sticking with the club, however, Copley will be a decent addition to an organization that desperately required a third-string netminder. Copley's career consistency and local connection are just icing on the cake.
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