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Sebastian Cossa
Sebastian Cossa
from Wikipedia

Sebastian Cossa (born November 21, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Cossa was drafted in the 2017 WHL bantam draft in the second round, thirty-sixth overall, by the Edmonton Oil Kings. As a rookie during the 2019–20 season, he posted a 21–6–3 record, with a .921 save percentage in 33 starts to finish tied for third-best in the WHL before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2019, he posted a 6–1–1–0 record, with a 1.98 goals against average (GAA), and stopped 222 of 238 shots for a 933 save percentage, and was named the WHL Goaltender of the Month.[1]

During the 2020–21 season, he posted a 17–1–1 record. He led the WHL in goals against average (1.57), save percentage (.941) and shutouts (4). By winning his first 12 starts of the year, he set a franchise record for consecutive wins in a single season by a goaltender.[2] In April 2021, he posted a 6–0–0–1 record, with a 1.61 GAA, .936 save percentage and two shutouts, and was named WHL Goaltender of the Month.[3] He was a finalist for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award, and led the Oil Kings to the best record in the league.[4]

Cossa with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2022

On July 23, 2021, Cossa was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[5] On August 14, the Red Wings signed Cossa to a three-year, entry-level contract.[6] Cossa was named the WHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of October 2021. He posted a 6–2–1–1 record in 10 games, with a 1.58 GAA, a league-best .943 save percentage, and one shutout.[7]

Cossa's professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins

Cossa made his professional debut for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL on October 19, 2022. He made 21 saves and earned the win in a 3–2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals. He was reassigned to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL the next day.[8] On January 21, 2023, Cossa earned his first professional shutout in a 5–0 victory against the Iowa Heartlanders.[9] Along with John Lethemon, Cossa helped lead the Walleye all the way to conference semifinals where they eventually lost to the league's top-seeded Idaho Steelheads 4 games to 1.[10]

During the 2023–24 season, in his first full season in the AHL, he posted a 22–9–9 record with a 2.41 GAA, .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 40 regular season games. During the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs he appeared in nine playoff games, and posted a 5–4 record, with a 2.72 GAA and .900 save percentage, as he helped the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals.[11][12]

On December 2, 2024, Cossa was recalled by the Red Wings under emergency conditions, after placing Alex Lyon on the injured reserve retroactive to November 27, and Cam Talbot suffering a lower-body injury on December 1, in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. He began the 2024–25 season with the Griffins, where he appeared in 14 games and posted a 9–4–1 record, with a 2.21 GAA and .925 save percentage.[13][14] Cossa subsequently made his NHL debut on December 9, entering in relief of Ville Husso after the first period.[15] He stopped 12 of 14 shots faced en route to a 6–5 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the 11th goalie in Red Wings history to earn a win in their NHL debut.[16]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Canada

On December 1, 2021, Cossa was named to the final roster for Canada at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[17] Serving as backup goaltender to Dylan Garand, he won gold with Team Canada.[18]

Personal life

[edit]

Cossa was born in Hamilton, Ontario to Gianni and Sandra Cossa and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta.[19] Cossa and his family are survivors of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire.[20]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2019–20 Edmonton Oil Kings WHL 33 21 6 3 1,880 70 4 2.23 .921
2020–21 Edmonton Oil Kings WHL 19 17 1 1 1,144 30 4 1.57 .941
2021–22 Edmonton Oil Kings WHL 46 33 9 3 2,631 100 6 2.28 .913 19 16 3 1,150 37 5 1.93 .919
2022–23 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 3 1 1 0 140 13 0 5.57 .783
2022–23 Toledo Walleye ECHL 46 26 16 4 2,667 114 4 2.56 .913 7 5 2 389 15 0 2.32 .917
2023–24 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 40 22 9 9 2,389 96 2 2.41 .913 9 5 4 551 25 0 2.72 .900
2024–25 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 41 21 15 5 2,425 99 1 2.45 .911 2 0 2 120 9 0 4.51 .868
2024–25 Detroit Red Wings NHL 1 1 0 0 45 2 0 2.67 .857
NHL totals 1 1 0 0 45 2 0 2.67 .857

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP W L OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2018 Canada White U17 6th 2 1 1 0 120 6 0 3.00 .895
2022 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1 1 0 0 60 2 0 2.00 .917
Junior totals 3 2 1 0 180 8 0 2.66 .906

Awards and achievements

[edit]
Award Year Ref
WHL
Ed Chynoweth Cup 2022 [21]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Sebastian Cossa (born November 21, 2002) is a Canadian who plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the (AHL) as a top prospect for the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) and weighing 221 pounds (100 kg), Cossa catches left and is known for his quick rebound control, strong puck coverage, and versatile save repertoire. Born in , Cossa began his hockey development with the Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association before being selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft by the . He made his WHL debut with Edmonton during the 2019–20 season, posting a 21–6–3 record with a 2.23 goals-against average (GAA) and .921 save percentage in 33 games, earning recognition as one of the league's top young netminders. In the 2020–21 season, Cossa led the WHL with a 1.57 GAA and .941 save percentage over 19 games. He followed with a strong 2021–22 season, helping the reach the playoffs and earning a spot on the WHL Central Division First All-Star Team. Cossa was selected by the in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, marking the highest-drafted goaltender by the franchise since 1973 and the first first-round goalie selection since 2008. Following the draft, he signed a three-year entry-level with and transitioned to professional hockey, splitting time between the Griffins (AHL) and the (). In his AHL tenure with Grand Rapids through the 2024–25 season, Cossa has recorded a 44–25–14 mark with a 2.48 GAA and .910 save percentage in 84 games. He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings on December 9, 2024, in a relief appearance against the , stopping 12 of 14 shots and earning his first NHL win in a . Cossa represented at the 2022 World Junior Championships, winning gold, and the 2020 World U18 Championships. As of November 2025, Cossa remains a key part of 's prospect pipeline, though he sustained a lower-body injury during practice in early November, sidelining him temporarily.

Early life and background

Upbringing in

Sebastian Cossa was born on November 21, 2002, in , to parents Gianni and Sandra Cossa. The family relocated to , , when Cossa was young, drawn by opportunities in the region's industry where his father worked. There, Cossa grew up alongside his older brother in a tight-knit community centered around resource extraction and outdoor activities. In May 2016, at the age of 13, Cossa and his family faced a profound crisis during the , the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history with damages estimated at C$9.9 billion. On May 3, as flames advanced toward the city, the Cossas evacuated south along Highway 63, packing essentials like clothing and hockey gear before fleeing amid heavy smoke and uncertainty; the highway north was blocked by the fire's spread. They initially sought refuge in for two weeks, then traveled to to stay with relatives, part of the largest evacuation in Canadian history that displaced nearly 90,000 people. Fortunately, their home was spared from destruction, unlike thousands of others in the community. The ordeal left a lasting emotional mark on the young Cossa, who later described the evacuation as "pretty scary" due to the fear of losing everything and the disorientation of displacement. Upon returning to after about three months, the family witnessed widespread devastation, including burned neighborhoods and disrupted daily life, which underscored the vulnerability of their northern home. This experience as survivors shaped Cossa's resilience during his formative years, though the family remained in until his later involvement in organized hockey prompted a shift southward.

Introduction to hockey

There, he discovered his passion for ice hockey, starting to skate at an early age and transitioning to around 7 or 8 years old during atom-level play, inspired by watching videos of . He progressed through local house league and minor hockey programs with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, honing his skills in a community where hockey was a primary pastime amid limited other options. In May 2016, the wildfire forced Cossa's family to evacuate, briefly displacing them to for three months before they returned home; this event served as a catalyst for his family's increased involvement in his development, leading to opportunities closer to . At age 13, Cossa began billeting in to join the Rangers' AAA program, marking his entry into higher-level competition. In the 2016-17 season with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U15 AAA team in the Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL), he posted a 1.80 goals-against average (GAA) and .934 save percentage over 19 games, helping the team capture the provincial championship. Cossa's breakout came in 2017 when he was selected to represent Team Alberta at the WHL Cup, the Western Hockey League's bantam prospects tournament held in . As part of the goaltending tandem with Garin Bjorklund, he backstopped the team through an undefeated round-robin before they reached the gold medal final, ultimately earning silver after a controversial 4-3 loss to Team on a high-stick goal. This exposure against top bantam talents boosted his confidence and visibility, directly contributing to his draft stock. Continuing his development in midget hockey, Cossa moved up to the Rangers U18 AAA team in the Midget Hockey League (AMHL) for the 2017-18 season, where he appeared in 19 games with a 3.37 GAA. Notably, he demonstrated strong performance, including a 2.28 GAA and .943 save percentage over 7 games, showcasing his poise under pressure. These efforts culminated in his selection by the in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, paving the way for his transition to major junior hockey.

Playing career

Junior career in the WHL

Cossa was selected by the in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. After two additional seasons with the Rangers U18 AAA in the Major Midget Hockey League, he joined the Oil Kings for the 2019–20 season as a WHL . In his debut WHL campaign, Cossa emerged as a key contributor for the Oil Kings, posting a 21–6–3 record over 33 games with a 2.23 goals-against average (GAA) and .921 save percentage (SV%). He recorded four shutouts and was named the WHL Vaughn of the Month for December 2019, during which he went 6–1–1 with a 1.98 GAA and .935 SV% in nine appearances. His strong performance helped the Oil Kings secure a solid playoff position before the season was curtailed due to the . The following 2020–21 season was shortened by ongoing restrictions, but Cossa dominated in 19 games, achieving a 17–1–1 record, 1.57 GAA, and .941 SV% while tying for the league lead with four shutouts. These figures led the WHL in both GAA and SV%, underscoring his status as one of the top junior in . His exceptional play earned him recognition as a finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year award. Cossa's tenure culminated in the 2021–22 season, where he anchored the Oil Kings' championship effort with a 33–9–3 regular-season record in 46 games, a 2.28 GAA, .913 SV%, and six shutouts. In the playoffs, he backstopped to the as WHL champions, going 16–3 with a 1.93 GAA and .919 SV% over 19 games, including five shutouts. The Oil Kings advanced to the but fell in the final to the . On July 23, 2021, following his dominant 2020–21 performance, Cossa was selected 15th overall by the in the NHL Entry Draft. Over his full WHL career with the Oil Kings from 2019 to 2022, he appeared in 98 games, compiling a 71–16–7 record, 2.12 GAA, and .921 SV%.

Professional career with the Red Wings organization

Cossa signed a three-year entry-level contract with the on August 14, 2021, carrying a cap hit of $863,334 per season. After completing his junior season with the , he turned professional in the 2022-23 season, initially assigned to the Red Wings' affiliate, the , where he appeared in 46 regular-season games and posted a 26-16-4 record with a 2.56 goals-against average (GAA) and .913 save percentage (SV%). He made his AHL debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 19, 2022, against the , securing a 3-2 victory with 21 saves, but struggled overall in three appearances that season, recording a 1-1-0 mark, 5.57 GAA, and .783 SV%. Limited playing time in the AHL stemmed from adjustment challenges, leading to his primary development in the . In the 2023-24 , Cossa established himself as the Griffins' primary , appearing in 40 regular-season games with a 22-9-9 record, 2.41 GAA, .913 SV%, and two shutouts. His performance earned him a selection to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic and helped Grand Rapids reach the Finals, where he went 5-4 with a 2.72 GAA in nine playoff starts. Cossa continued his strong AHL play in 2024-25, logging 41 games for the Griffins with a 21-15-5 record, 2.45 GAA, .911 SV%, and one shutout. On December 2, 2024, he was recalled by the Red Wings under emergency conditions due to injuries in the NHL goaltending tandem. He made his NHL debut on December 9, 2024, against the Buffalo Sabres, entering in relief of Ville Husso in the second period and stopping 12 of 14 shots while denying two of three shootout attempts to secure a 6-5 victory in his only appearance that season (1-0-0, 2.67 GAA, .857 SV%). Cossa was reassigned to Grand Rapids the following day. Cossa entered the 2025-26 season under the final year of his entry-level contract and began strongly with the Griffins, going 4-0-0 with a 1.75 GAA, .939 SV%, and one in four starts. However, on November 10, 2025, he suffered a lower-body during practice, sidelining him indefinitely and leaving Grand Rapids without its top .

International career

World Junior Championships

Cossa was named to Canada's roster for the 2022 , which began in , , on December 26, 2021. The 19-year-old , selected as the third option behind Dylan Garand and Brett Brochu, did not see any action. The tournament was suspended after two days of play due to cases and fully canceled on December 29, 2021, with no medals awarded. Cossa was again selected to represent Canada at the rescheduled 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton from August 9 to 20, 2022. He appeared in one game during the tournament, starting against Latvia on August 10 and securing a 5-2 victory with 22 saves on 24 shots (2.00 GAA, .917 SV%). Serving primarily as backup to Dylan Garand in the other six games, Cossa helped Canada win gold with a 3-2 overtime victory over Finland in the final, marking the country's 19th title at the event. As a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, Cossa became the first player from the club to win a World Junior gold medal. Following his transition to professional hockey with the organization after the 2021–22 season, Cossa did not make additional appearances at the World Junior Championships.

World U18 Championships

Cossa was selected to Canada's under-18 development program in 2020 as part of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence goaltending camp, positioning him as a developmental prospect for the IIHF World Under-18 Championships scheduled for . However, the tournament was canceled on March 13, 2020, due to the , preventing any main-round play. Although pre-tournament preparations were underway, no official games occurred, limiting Cossa's ice time to camp sessions where he served in a third-string development role amid a talented group of young goaltenders. Cossa had no further appearances at the U18 level, focusing instead on his junior club career and subsequent international opportunities at the under-20 level. His early selection highlighted his emerging promise as a WHL standout, but the lack of competitive exposure at this tournament underscored the challenges of the disrupted season for developing prospects.

Career statistics

WHL Regular Season

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2019–203321631,8802.23.9214
2020–211917111,1441.57.9414
2021–224633932,6312.28.9136

WHL Playoffs

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2021–221916301,1501.93.9195

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2021–2231201843.25.9080

ECHL Regular Season

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2022–2346261642,6672.56.9134

ECHL Playoffs

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2022–2374304192.86.9040

AHL Regular Season

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2022–2331101405.57.7830
2023–244022992,3892.41.9132
2024–2541211552,4252.45.9111
2025–2644002391.75.9391

AHL Playoffs

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2023–2495405512.72.9000
2024–2520201204.51.8680

NHL Regular Season

SeasonGPWLOTLMinGAASV%SO
2024–251100452.67.8570
Cossa has not appeared in NHL playoff games as of November 2025.

International

Cossa's international statistics from IIHF tournaments are summarized in the following table.
YearTournamentGPWLOTLGAASV%SO
2022World Junior Championships0------
2023World Junior Championships11002.00.9170
No participation in the 2020 World U18 Championships or other IIHF tournaments as of November 2025. Cossa helped win at the 2023 World Junior Championships (held in 2022).

Awards and achievements

Junior level awards

During his time with Team at the 2017 WHL Cup, Cossa contributed to the team's finish as runners-up, losing 4-3 in overtime to Team British Columbia in the championship game after an undefeated round-robin performance. In the 2016-17 season with the Rangers in the Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL), Cossa earned honors while leading the league in (1.80) and save percentage (.934) over 19 games. Cossa was recognized as the WHL Goaltender of the Month multiple times during his tenure with the , including for December 2019 (after posting a 5-1-0 record, 1.82 , and .932 save percentage in six games), April 2021 (7-0-0, 1.64 , .937 save percentage in seven games), October 2021 (6-2-1, 2.10 , .917 save percentage in nine games), and January 2022 (8-1-0, 1.48 , .940 save percentage in nine games). For the 2020-21 WHL season, Cossa was a finalist for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as league of the Year and won the Central Division of the Year award after leading the WHL in (1.57) and save percentage (.941) with a 17-1-1 record in 19 games. He was named to the WHL Central Division First All-Star Team for the 2021–22 season. Cossa backstopped the Oil Kings to the 2022 as WHL champions, going 16-3-0 in 19 playoff appearances with a 1.93 , .919 save percentage, and five shutouts. The team advanced to the 2022 , where they finished as runners-up after a 4-3 championship loss to the .

Professional and international honors

Cossa earned several individual honors during his time in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. He was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March 2023 after posting a 6-1-1 record with a 1.73 goals-against average and .944 save percentage in eight appearances. He also received ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week ending March 5, 2023, following a 2-0-0 performance that included a shutout and a .982 save percentage. Additionally, Cossa represented the Western Conference at the 2023 ECHL All-Star Classic. In the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Cossa was recognized as the AHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 25, 2024, after going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .970 save percentage, and his first career AHL in two starts. On the international stage, Cossa contributed to Canada's win at the 2022 , appearing in one game with a 2.00 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

References

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