Foster
scored 31 points in 34 games for Bowling Green as a freshman.
Key
Statistics: Foster and linemate Jonathan Matsumoto
were the only teammates to rank among the NCAA’s top
10 in points per game among freshmen. Foster was ninth at
0.91 points per game (8-23—31 in 34 games), while Matsumoto
was 10th at 0.89 (18-14—32 in 36 games).
What
He Does: Don’t let the eight goals fool you.
Foster has a terrific shot – he led the Falcons in shots
on goal last season – and is usually on target. Often,
the ones that didn’t go in turned into scoring chances
off rebounds for teammates. Foster, who turns 21 later this
month, is a speedy, high-energy forward who also killed penalties
as a freshman. He has become a key team leader with his tremendous
work ethic on and off the ice. He expects a lot from himself
– too much at times, perhaps – in his quest to
become a complete player.
The
Bigger Picture: Foster spent the bulk of his freshman
campaign on a line with Matsumoto and junior Mike Falk (8-12—20
in 27 games). Though the trio was quite effective, coach Scott
Paluch likely will split the group in an attempt to spread
scoring punch across three lines. While he enjoyed a fine
season a year ago, Foster is expected to increase his goal
total in a fashion similar to teammate James Unger, who scored
15 times last season after getting just six as a freshman.
Bowling Green would certainly welcome more goals – last
year with standout Jordan Sigalet in net, the Falcons outscored
their opponents by one (117-116).
Bowling
Green assistant coach Ron Fogarty on Foster: “He’s
impressed us from day one. He’s an experienced player
from the USHL who made the jump [to college] with relative
ease. Being a product of that environment has helped us be
where we need to be.”
