CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Cooper Foster, selected by the Penguins in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, is still in the very early stages of his development process.
The 5-foot-11, 172-pound forward fell to the Ottawa 67's in the second round of the 2021 OHL Draft and subsequently failed to make the team out of camp. It turned out to be a major blessing in disguise.
As a result of not making the 67's, Foster returned home to play the 2021-22 season for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. He posted 18 goals and 42 assists in 38 regular-season games, then another eight goals and nine assists in 15 playoff games en route to the Thunderbirds winning the championship.
He earned the NOJHL's MVP award for his excellence.
After completing his NOJHL campaign, Foster finally debuted in the OHL for a 14-game stint at the end of the season, recording four assists in a minimal role.
The 2022-23 season marked Foster's jump to the OHL on a full-time basis. He had 19 goals and 17 assists in 63 games with the 67's, followed by two goals in 11 playoff games.
It was a slow burn, but by the end of it all, he felt like he'd taken a significant step forward.
"Last year was my first year in the OHL, so it took some time to get my feet under me," Foster said last weekend at Penguins development camp at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. "It’s a little bit of experience and comfortability and confidence. I gained confidence throughout the year, got put in bigger situations here and there, and then at the end of the year, it all came together for me. I took the opportunity to the fullest."
Foster predominantly played a bottom-six role throughout the year, both at center and left wing. He finished the season on the left wing of the first line.
The Penguins and their scouting department tracked Foster's progress and really liked what they saw. Their belief is that, with a full season in an elevated role and more responsibility, he could flourish.
"Cooper Foster was kind of a guy that was maybe lower in the lineup for the Ottawa 67's," Penguins director of amateur scouting Nick Pryor said at the draft. "But we feel as he turns into his 18-year-old year and 19-year-old year, there's more opportunity presented to him. We really like his sense on both sides of the puck, and we feel that there's skill and offensive production that are kind of untapped at this time. And as more opportunity comes his way, he'll be able to take advantage of it."
The biggest thing to take away from Pryor's remarks is the part about Foster's hockey sense in all areas of the ice. Many scouting reports laud him for his play away from the puck and defensive work, especially, which is a result of a strong ability to process the game, a high motor and aggressiveness.
According to the manually tracked data from prospect guru Mitchell Brown at EP Rinkside, Foster's defense graded out in the 88th percentile among OHL forwards in 2022-23. Not too shabby for his first full season.
FC Hockey described Foster as an "effective two-way forward who excels in the details of the game." They mentioned that he doesn't possess noteworthy skill, but makes up for it in other ways.
Foster's self-assessment lines up with all of it.
"I think I’m a smart player on the ice," Foster said. "I feel like I’m responsible in both ends of the ice, and I’m a pretty simple player. I make simple plays, but it’s effective, and I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time, usually."
There's already quite a bit of maturity in Foster's game beyond what he brings in his own end. To his point about making simple, effective plays with the puck, Elite Prospects describes Foster as a "play-builder," meaning he's a bit more patient and possession oriented. He prefers to "delay, cutback, or pass rather than partake in a needless footrace down the boards."
These are great qualities to have for someone who projects as a bottom-six checker if he's ever going to make the NHL. And, as Pryor mentioned, there might just be another layer to his offensive game.
Foster certainly thinks there is. If he can progressively upgrade his toolkit while maintaining a solid defensive impact and continuing to be a positive influence away from the puck, that could be the perfect recipe to hit the next level.
"I’m still 18 years old, so I feel like I can grow in so many parts of my game," Foster said. "Skating, I can improve so much. Puck-handling, shooting, I think I’m only at the start right now."
It's not uncommon for a prospect to assert that they're just at the beginning of their development curve, but in Foster's case, it's mostly true. His desire to improve was expressed with genuine eagerness and excitement.
"I feel like there’s so much potential for me," he said. "If I keep working hard, I think little skills like that will add up to more offensive ability for me."
Next season will be a big one for Foster. Assuming he stays toward the top of the lineup in a prominent role, his production will need to take a sizable step forward. No matter how strong his defense or off-puck play is, he must demonstrate the ability to produce more frequently in order to truly break through.
Another season with a strong 67's team is a great opportunity to do so.
