Devin Cooley’s rise with the Calgary Flames has already come with the kind of personality that makes a player stick. The 29-year-old turned himself into a quick fan favourite last season as a rookie, and it wasn’t just because of what he did on the ice. It was the soundbites, the easy charm, the sense that he wasn’t trying to be anybody but himself.
That same authenticity popped up again this week in a video his fiance, Natalie Weyers, posted to Instagram. Weyers said Cooley had taken up an unexpected new pastime, and it was not the usual off-day hobby you’d expect from an NHL goalie.
Not fishing. Not cooking.
Linear algebra.
“What is he doing for fun right now? Linear algebra,” Weyers said while walking into the office Cooley was in. “He bought a textbook for linear algebra and is doing it for fun.”
Cooley then jumped into the comment section to explain what was behind the sudden dive back into math. He wrote, “The goal is to see how far I can go in math before my brain says that’s enough,” Cooley wrote. “I dropped out of studying finance and computer science in college to play hockey, and linear algebra is where I left off, so that’s where I’ll start.
“Why am I doing this? I’m not really sure, but I guess with how good AI is getting, I don’t want to lose the art of learning and creating. Plus, it’s a fun challenge!”
For a player already known around Calgary for his quirks and personality, the story only adds to the legend. And it comes with a deadline, too: Flames training camp is set to begin next week, which means the textbook will have to wait.
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Flames Suddenly Face A Bigger Jonathan Huberdeau Concern Than Expected
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The bigger concern is not just that Huberdeau is still rehabbing, but that his timeline is still being assessed as the club turns the page toward 2026-27. Calgary can live with a gradual ramp-up if it stays on schedule, but the uncertainty around his return adds another layer to a season already shaped by how quickly he can get back to full participation. [Read more 🡒]