On Friday, June 4th in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft, Soo U18 Greyhound forward Copper Foster was selected 32nd overall by the Ottawa 67’s.
In 2019 – 2020 season in his hometown of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario as a 15 year old, the 5’11” and 165 lbs centre scored 20 goals and had 14 assists in 24 regular season games with the Soo U15 Greyhounds. Foster tallied a total of 39 minutes in penalties during the regular season and added seven goals and eight assists in five post season matchups in 2019 – 2020 with the U15 Greyhounds.
Foster told Saultsports that “joining Saultite Jack Matier is awesome having someone I know going down there to push me everyday and give me hints or guiding me. Getting drafted by the Ottawa 67’s is a honour and a great opportunity for me. I can’t wait to get there. They are great organization and city. I feel like I being a strong 200ft game I see the ice very well and make the players around me better.”
Foster’s U18 2020 – 2021 coach Jamie Henderson told Saultsports that “Cooper has elite vision on the ice and makes his teammates around him better. He can control the play and is a 200 foot player who doesn’t cheat the defensive side of the game. Ottawa is getting a highly skilled player in Cooper Foster and a young man eager to get better.”
Saultite and present Ottawa 67’s defenseman Jack Matier said ““it is awesome that another Sault boy who has been drafted to Ottawa. It’s good to see the Sault producing OHL players.”
“Coop will be a player who will use his great vision and hockey IQ to make high end plays all over the ice. He possesses a great shot as well. He has next level speed and can thrive in small areas with his great hands and puck protection capabilities. He is a truly unselfish player who can play a 200 foot game. They will also get a player who thrives in big games and plays with some nastiness as well. Ottawa will enjoy Cooper once he gets the opportunity to play there, and he has the potential to be an impactful player in the league down the road,” said Cooper’s U15 coach Dom Deluca.
Photo: Bob Davies
