Sault Ste Marie’s Cooper Foster is heading back to Sault Ste Marie to begin his new chapter in his hockey career with committing to the CCHA Lake Superior State University Lakers for the fall of 2026.
Laker coach Damon Whitten told Saultsports that “from a purely hockey standpoint, Cooper is exactly the type of player you need to win in the modern CCHA. Our league is notoriously heavy, structured, and defensive-minded—time and space are incredibly hard to come by. What separates Cooper is his elite ice awareness and spatial composure under pressure. He doesn’t panic. He is a natural play-builder who knows how to delay, execute a sharp cutback along the boards, and draw defenders toward him before exposing an open lane. He can distribute the puck effortlessly on his backhand and plays a highly responsible game in all three zones, which is an absolute requirement in our system.”
6’0 and 190 lbs forward of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario was drafted in the 2021 OHL Priority Draft by the Ottawa 67’s in the second round with the 32nd overall pick in the draft. Foster played five seasons in the nation’s capital for the 67’s with a total of 257 regular season contests. Cooper sank 88 goals and added 123 assists while tallying 204 minutes in penalties. In thirty post season games between 2023, 2024, and 2026, the Sault Ste Marie forward added seven goals and eleven assists along with 23 minutes in penalties. Foster was selected in the sixth round with the 174th selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“On the character side, it’s a home run. Being a Sault Ste. Marie native, he fundamentally understands the culture, history, and expectations of Laker Hockey. He’s already won a championship right here across the river with the Soo Thunderbirds earlier in his development, so he knows what it means to play for this community. He carries himself with the professional habits of an NHL draft pick, and that mix of hometown pride and elite work ethic makes him a perfect culture fit, added Whitten.
“The Ottawa 67’s organization is a tremendous organization. Under their hockey operations, players are taught structure, defensive responsibility, and the finer details of the game from day one. When you recruit a player out of Ottawa, you aren’t just getting raw athletic talent; you’re getting someone who already understands: How to execute within a rigorous, demanding team system. The physical and mental management required for a grueling schedule. How to handle high-pressure environments and expectations. Continuing to establish a pipeline with premier major junior organizations elevates the standard for our entire locker room.”
Whitten also said “we expect Cooper to make an immediate, tangible impact the moment he steps into the Taffy Abel Arena for the 2026–2027 campaign. On the Ice: We envision him stepping directly into a top-six role. His vision and deceptive passing make him an instant weapon for our power-play units. Because he’s so reliable defensively, we will have total confidence throwing him out there in late-game situations, whether we are trying to claw back or lock down a lead. He is coming off a highly productive 66-point overage season in the OHL, so his offensive confidence is exactly where it needs to be to transition smoothly to the NCAA. Off the Ice: He’s going to be an immediate leader. Even as a first-year college player, his four years of heavy OHL experience give him a veteran presence. Furthermore, being a local kid, he is going to be a massive hit with our fan base. Young hockey players in the twin Saults will get to see a local guy wearing the Laker anchor, which does wonders for our youth hockey connection and community engagement.”
