Scott Foster is a Canadian accountant and amateur ice hockey player. He appeared in one game for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League near the end of the 2017–18 season as an emergency goaltender following injuries to the team's starting and backup goaltenders, becoming the first emergency goaltender to be called into a game due to injuries in recent years.
Playing career
College
Foster played junior hockey with the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario Hockey League in the 2001–02 season. 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. 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. 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.
Chicago Blackhawks
Foster was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks to an amateur tryout contracton the eve of their March 29, 2018, game against the Winnipeg Jets when the presumed starter Anton Forsberg was sidelined by injury. 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. 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 in recent years: Jorge Alves, who made his seven-second Carolina Hurricanes debut at the end of a game in December 2016. However, before the mid-way mark of the third period, Blackhawks starter Collin Delia, who was also making his NHL debut that night, was injured, forcing Foster into NHL action for his debut. He saved seven shots out of seven in about 14 minutes of play, becoming the first emergency goaltender to ever stop a shot, and preserving a 6–2 Blackhawks' win. Although Delia was credited with the win, Foster was named the game's first star. Asked about his performance following his NHL debut, Foster quipped, "I think I'm just hitting my prime." 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. For the game Foster received "Just beer league glory", he said. 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. 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. During the 2018–19 season, Foster was asked to be an occasional second goalie for the Blackhawks optional morning skate.
Personal life
Foster lives in Oak Park, Illinois, and as of 2018 works as an accountant with Golub Capital. He was previously with Aurora Investment Management. He plays for two beer league hockey teams as a goaltender. 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. 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. He agreed to be interviewed by ESPN in April 2019.
