Scott Foster (ice hockey)

Scott Foster (born January 17, 1982)[1] is a Canadian accountant and amateur ice hockey goaltender. He appeared in one game for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) near the end of the 2017–18 season as an emergency goaltender following injuries to the team's starting and backup goaltenders.

For other people named Scott Foster, see Scott Foster (disambiguation).

Scott Foster
Born (1982-01-17) January 17, 1982
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2018–2018

Playing career

College

Foster played junior hockey with the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario Hockey League in the 2001–02 season.[2] He then moved on to play for Western Michigan University's hockey team in the 2002–03, 2003–04, and 2005–06 Central Collegiate Hockey Association seasons.[2] He played in tandem with Mike Mantua in 2002–03, playing 21 games to Mantua's 26 and recording a 7–8–2 record with a .868 save percentage. His next year was more successful as he served as the team's starting goaltender, playing 33 games and recording an .881 percentage.[3] His final stint with the team was less successful, as he played just one game in 2005-06, allowing three goals on seven shots in just one period of play.[4]

Chicago Blackhawks

Foster was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks to an amateur tryout contract on the eve of their March 29, 2018, game against the Winnipeg Jets when the presumed starter Anton Forsberg was sidelined by injury.[5] Forsberg himself had become the Blackhawks starting goaltender after Corey Crawford suffered a season-ending concussion. Foster had gone to 15 games as an emergency goaltender prior to this game, but never dressed.[6] Serving as the Blackhawks' emergency backup goaltender for the game, Foster was not expected to play, considering his lack of high-level experience and the fact that only one goaltender of his kind had suited up for NHL action since 2010: Jorge Alves, who made his seven-second Carolina Hurricanes debut at the end of a game in December 2016.[7]

However, before the mid-way mark of the third period, Blackhawks starter Collin Delia, who was also making his NHL debut that night after having spent the balance of the season in the Blackhawks minor league system, was injured, forcing Foster into NHL action for his debut.[8] He saved seven shots out of seven[8] in about 14 minutes of play, becoming the first emergency goaltender to ever stop a shot,[7] and preserving a 6–2 Blackhawks win. Although Delia was credited with the win, Foster was named the game's first star.[9][10] Asked about his performance following his NHL debut, Foster quipped, "I think I'm just hitting my prime."[11] Assuming Foster does not play again in the NHL, he is one of 18 players since 1982 to record a perfect 1.000 save percentage in the league.[12]

For the game Foster received "Just beer league glory", he said.[13] He kept his game-worn jersey but no other compensation; under the terms of the NHL collective bargaining agreement, players signed to amateur tryout contracts like Foster are unpaid for their services.[14][13]

Foster appeared at the 2018 NHL Award Ceremony, where he and Jim Belushi presented the Vezina Trophy to Pekka Rinne. Previously, he was voted the "Best NHL First" at the Blackhawks Fan Choice Awards.[15]

During the 2018–19 season, Foster was asked to be an occasional second goalie for the Blackhawks optional morning skate.[16][17]

Personal life

Foster lives in Oak Park, Illinois,[18] and as of 2018 works as an accountant[19] with Golub Capital. He was previously with Aurora Investment Management.[20] He plays for two beer league hockey teams as a goaltender.[21] After his turn in the NHL, the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel offered to hire him as their "emergency accountant" and hoped to host him at their final home game to conduct the ceremonial puck drop.[22] Foster declined further interviews the next months, preferring to "prioritize his family and work following his NHL stint", even as interview requests came from as far away as Turkey.[23] However, he eventually acquiesced and agreed to be interviewed by ESPN in April 2019.[24]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPWLTOTLMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2000–01 Petrolia Jets WOHL 2818100—16676322.27.928 ————————
2001–02 Petrolia Jets WOHL 3218120—18109633.18.902 ————————
2002–03 Western Michigan University CCHA 21782—10366503.77.868 ————————
2003–04 Western Michigan University CCHA 3313144—189010203.24.881 ————————
2005–06 Western Michigan University CCHA 1010—20309.00.571 ————————
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 100—014000.001.000 ————————
NHL totals 100—014000.001.000 ————————

See also
  • David Ayres – Zamboni driver and Carolina Hurricanes emergency goalie who appeared in a 2020 game, becoming the first emergency goalie to record a win in an NHL game
  • Tom Hodges – Backup goalie and life insurance salesman who played for the Anaheim Ducks on April 30, 2022
  • Lester Patrick – former New York Rangers coach who, at age 44, played in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals for the team as an emergency goalie
  • Eric Semborski – Philadelphia Flyers emergency goalie, whose substitution was attempted in 2017, but was removed by the referee as the primary goalie was not injured
  • Jerry Toppazzini – Boston Bruins right winger, who in 1960 was the last position player to substitute as a goalie
  • Ryan Vinz – Buffalo Sabres video technician and practice goalie who served as an emergency goalie in 2014 but did not play
  • List of players who played only one game in the NHL

References
  1. "Scott Foster". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  2. Jankowski, Daniel (December 5, 2001). "Hockey Broncos Sign Four Recruits" (Press release). Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  3. Athletic Department. "2005–06 Hockey Roster: 31 Scott Foster". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  4. "Emergency Goalie Scott Foster Pressed into Action in Blackhawks Win". Sportsnet.ca. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  5. Melton, Dave (March 29, 2018). "Blackhawks turn to emergency backup goaltender Scott Foster". Second City Hockey. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  6. Myers, Tracey (March 30, 2018). "Emergency Goalie Has 'Ton of Fun' Playing for Blackhawks". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  7. "N.H.L.'s Emergency Goalies Are Ready to Answer the Call". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 7, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  8. "Scott Foster: Accountant makes NHL debut in goal for Chicago Blackhawks". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  9. "Winnipeg Jets–Chicago Blackhawks, March 29th, 2018". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  10. Chavez, Chris (March 29, 2018). "Emergency Goalie Takes Over for Blackhawks, Scott Foster Makes Debut At 36 Years Old". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  11. @MarkLazerus (March 29, 2018). "Scott Foster: 'I think I'm just hitting my prime.'" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. Price, Satchel (March 30, 2018). "Scott Foster Becomes 18th NHL Goalie Since 1982 with Perfect Save Percentage". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  13. Fernandez, Gabriel (February 24, 2020). "Emergency goalie David Ayres helps Hurricanes defeat Maple Leafs in wild NHL debut". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  14. Price, Satchel (March 30, 2018). "How Much Was Scott Foster Paid to be Blackhawks' Emergency Goalie? Nothing". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  15. Merlina, Nick (June 21, 2018). "Blog: Scott Foster Presents Vezina Trophy". Chicago Blackhawks. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  16. Myers, Tracey (October 25, 2018). "Blackhawks Turn to Emergency Backup Goalie Foster Again". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  17. Allardyce, Michael (October 25, 2018). "Emergency Goalie Scott Foster Practices with Blackhawks". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 25, 2018. coach Joel Quenneville said this won't be the last time you see him out there as Foster is expected to practice with the team for some optional skates going forward.
  18. Hawley, Larry (March 30, 2018). "The Blackhawks Needed an Emergency Goalie, and an Accountant from Oak Park Saved the Day". Chicago: WGN-TV. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  19. Seravalli, Frank (March 30, 2018). "Accountant by day, Hawks emergency goalie named No. 1 star". tsn.ca. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  20. Morris, Chris (March 30, 2018). "Who Is Scott Foster, the Blackhawks Show-Stealing Emergency Goaltender and Accountant?". Fortune. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  21. Foster, Scott (March 29, 2018). "Post-Game Interview" (Interview). NBC Sports Chicago. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018 – via Streamable.
  22. Hascup, Jimmy (March 30, 2018). "Hockey Team Asks Scott Foster, Blackhawks' Emergency Goalie, for Tax Form Help". USA Today. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  23. Thompson, Phil (April 3, 2018). "Where Is Scott Foster? Blackhawks Emergency Goalie Backs Out of the Spotlight". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  24. Kaplan, Emily (April 3, 2019). "15 minutes of ... insane - From accountant to NHL goalie". ESPN.
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