Sebastian Cossa Bio
Sebastian Cossa is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who plays 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). Born on November 21, 2002, he was selected 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. A product of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Cossa has quickly developed into one of the top goaltending prospects within the Red Wings organization.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 212 pounds, Cossa combines a large frame with technical poise. He began his professional career in 2022 and has since transitioned between the ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels, building a reputation as a composed and competitive goaltender.
Early Life and Background
Sebastian Cossa was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to his parents, Gianni Cossa and Sandra Cossa. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Fort McMurray, Alberta, where Cossa was raised. Growing up in northern Alberta, he was introduced to hockey at a young age and developed his goaltending skills in local minor hockey programs.
His childhood in Fort McMurray also shaped him off the ice. In 2016, Cossa and his family survived the devastating Fort McMurray wildfire, a community-defining event in the region. Despite the disruption, he continued pursuing his hockey development and gained attention from Western Hockey League scouts by his early teenage years.
Path to Professional Hockey
Cossa’s path to professional hockey accelerated when he was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. He joined the Oil Kings’ system and spent several years refining his game within one of the CHL’s most respected development programs. His size, athleticism, and technical maturity allowed him to progress rapidly through the junior ranks.
During the 2019–20 season, as a WHL rookie, Cossa posted a 21–6–3 record with a .921 save percentage in 33 starts, finishing tied for third-best in the league before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His strong play established him as a top goaltending prospect in North America, setting the stage for his NHL Draft selection the following year.
Sebastian Cossa Career
Early Career in the WHL (2019–2021)
Cossa’s WHL career peaked during the 2020–21 season, when he posted a 17–1–1 record and led the league with a 1.57 goals-against average (GAA), a .941 save percentage, and four shutouts. He opened the year by winning his first 12 starts, setting an Oil Kings franchise record for consecutive wins by a goaltender in a single season. His efforts earned him a WHL Goaltender of the Month honor in April 2021, and he was a finalist for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award.
Following the 2020–21 campaign, Cossa was named WHL Goaltender of the Month for October 2021 after recording a 6–2–1–1 mark, a 1.58 GAA, a league-best .943 save percentage, and one shutout. His dominant junior résumé made him a clear top prospect heading into the 2021 NHL Draft.
NHL Draft and Professional Debut (2021–2023)
On July 23, 2021, Cossa was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on August 14, 2021. Representing Canada, he served as the backup goaltender to Dylan Garand at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a gold medal with Team Canada.
Cossa made his professional debut on October 19, 2022, with the Grand Rapids Griffins, stopping 21 shots in a 3–2 win over the Milwaukee Admirals. He was reassigned to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL the following day, where he continued his development. On January 21, 2023, he earned his first professional shutout in a 5–0 victory against the Iowa Heartlanders, helping Toledo reach the conference semifinals before falling to the Idaho Steelheads.
Grand Rapids Griffins Era (2023–Present)
During the 2023–24 season, Cossa’s first full AHL campaign, he posted a 22–9–9 record with a 2.41 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and two shutouts in 40 regular-season games. In the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, he appeared in nine games, going 5–4 with a 2.72 GAA and .900 save percentage, helping the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals.
He continued his strong form into the 2024–25 season, posting a 9–4–1 record with a 2.21 GAA and a .925 save percentage in 14 games for Grand Rapids. On December 2, 2024, he was recalled by the Red Wings under emergency conditions following injuries to Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cossa’s game is built around his imposing 6-foot-6 frame, which allows him to cover the lower portion of the net effectively and challenge shooters through traffic. He combines positional discipline with strong lateral movement and a calm demeanor under pressure. His consistency in tracking pucks and rebound control has been a defining trait throughout his development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cossa’s NHL debut came on December 9, 2024, when he entered in relief of Ville Husso during a game against the Buffalo Sabres. He stopped 12 of 14 shots in a 6–5 shootout victory, becoming the 11th goaltender in Detroit Red Wings history to earn a win in his NHL debut. His gold medal with Canada at the 2022 World Juniors also stands as a defining early-career accomplishment.
Sebastian Cossa Career Wins
Sebastian Cossa has compiled a steady stream of victories across the WHL, ECHL, AHL, and NHL, building a résumé that reflects consistent progression at every level. His combination of franchise records, monthly honors, and playoff appearances underscores his development as a top-tier goaltending prospect within the Detroit Red Wings system.
WHL Highlights
During his time with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Cossa established himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders, winning WHL Goaltender of the Month honors multiple times and leading the league in several key categories. His 2020–21 campaign, which included a franchise-record 12 consecutive wins to open the season, remains the high point of his junior career.
Other Wins and Performances
In the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye, Cossa earned his first professional shutout and helped the team reach the conference semifinals in 2022–23. His AHL success with the Grand Rapids Griffins, including a 22-win season and a run to the Central Division Finals in 2024, highlights his readiness for sustained NHL duty.
Sebastian Cossa Family
Family Background and Personal Roots
Sebastian Cossa was born to Gianni Cossa and Sandra Cossa. The family later settled in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where he was raised. In 2016, the Cossas were among the thousands of residents forced to evacuate during the Fort McMurray wildfire, an experience that became a defining part of his upbringing.
Personal Life
Cossa maintains a close relationship with his family, who have remained supportive throughout his hockey career. He continues to focus on his professional development within the Detroit Red Wings organization, balancing life in the AHL with his growing NHL responsibilities.
2025 Season Performance
Sebastian Cossa entered the 2025 portion of the 2024–25 season as an emerging name within the Detroit Red Wings’ goaltending picture. After a strong stretch with the Grand Rapids Griffins, his emergency recall in December 2024 provided him with his first sustained NHL exposure, including a memorable debut win over the Buffalo Sabres. His ability to step into a high-pressure situation and perform reflected the organization’s confidence in his readiness.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Cossa is expected to continue splitting time between the Griffins and the Red Wings as Detroit evaluates its goaltending depth. With Ville Husso, Cam Talbot, and Alex Lyon all navigating injuries or transitions, opportunities for further NHL appearances remain likely. His .925 save percentage in the AHL early in the season suggests he is prepared for expanded responsibility at the top level.