Platinum Sponsor
Cooper Zech
| Position | Defence |
|---|---|
| Height | 5'9" |
| Weight | 73kg |
| Shoots | L |
| Date of Birth | 18-12-1998 |
| Place of Birth | South Lyon, MI, USA |
| Gold Sponsor 1 |
|---|
| Chris & Katie Payne |
| Gold Sponsor 2 |
| Kev, Jane, Ellie & Ruby |
| Silver Sponsor 1 |
| Carol & Geraldine |
| Silver Sponsor 2 |
| Mark & Hazel Woods and Andrew Spencer |
American defenceman Cooper Zech has signed on for a second season with the Nottingham Panthers for the 2025-26 campaign.
The 26-year-old was a free-scoring defenceman as a junior and continued that in the NCAA, as he led Ferris State University in scoring with 28 points (8+20) in 36 matches.
His performances brought him to the attention of the Providence Bruins, and he signed his first professional contract with the AHL side in March 2019.
He spent two-and-a-half years with the Bruins organisation which included a loan stint with top Slovakian side HK Nitra in 2020-21 when the AHL had a delayed start because of the pandemic, before returning to play for Providence for the rest of the season.
After impressing in Providence, Zech went on to sign an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers for the 2021-22 season, icing for the Flyers AHL affiliate, Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Zech then joined the Chicago Blackhawks organisation in 2022-23, playing mainly for their AHL affiliate side Rockford Ice Hogs, as well as a brief stint in the ECHL with Indy Fuel before being traded to New York Rangers as part of the Patrick Kane deal.
Last season, Cooper scored 25 points (7+18) in 32 regular-season matches as Panthers secured a third-placed finish in the Elite League.
He contributed seven assists in four playoff games, including two in the final in the 4-3 victory against Cardiff Devils, setting up the game-winner in the second overtime period for Mitch Fossier.