Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2020 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we look at Tyson Foerster.
Tyson Foerster, a third-round (55th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Draft put himself on the map for the 2020 NHL Draft with a big draft season. The Alliston, Ontario native scored 36 goals and 44 assists for 80 points in 62 games for the Barrie Colts. Foerster’s 18 power-play goals led the OHL. It was also a big jump from his rookie season when he put up 10 goals and 23 points in 64 games. Foerster also made a huge statement at the CHL Top Prospects Game. Playing with and against other star draft-eligible players, Foerster scored two goals and an assist leading Team White to victory. Foerster took home the game’s MVP award as well.
Foerster took 3.62 shots on goal per game this season and overall his 225 shots finished 17th in the OHL. To put that in perspective, Aidan Brown, who finished second on the Colts had just 129 shots on goal.
In 2017-18 Foerster played for Team OHA Black, scoring two goals in four tournament games and helping his team to third place at the 2018 OHL Gold Cup. He also scored five goals and nine points in five games for Barrie Colts Minor Midget at the OHL Cup.
Tyson Foerster Scouting Report
Right Wing/Centre — shoots Right
Born January 18th, 2002 — Alliston, Ontario
Height 6’2″ — Weight 194 lbs [188 cm/88 kg]
Skating
Foerster has some good aspects to his skating but needs to work on his speed and explosiveness. His top-end speed allows him to keep up with the play, but he would be even more dangerous if he had another gear. Foerster could also be a little quicker with his first step and his acceleration. He is strong on his skates though. It is tough to knock him off the puck and he uses his body to protect the puck in the cycle game. Foerster is also good on his edges and has excellent agility. This allows him to slip away from defenders both with and without the puck.
Offensive Game
Foerster is a pure sniper. He has a tremendous arsenal of shots. He likes to get into the left circle on the power play, where he can wait for a teammate to set him up. Once the puck gets to him, he can unleash a tremendous one-timer. His wrist shot and release are also amongst the best in the draft. The shot is powerful and the release is lightning quick. He can pick corners with ease. Foerster also has a good snapshot and can score with his backhand as well. He has a knack for finding the soft spot in the defence when he does not have the puck. This allows him to prepare for the shot.
Foerster is also a capable passer and puck handler. He can control the puck down low and can make quick moves on a defender to open up space to make a pass or get his shot off. His vision and passing skills are also good, as Foerster can find an open-teammate and hit them with a tape-to-tape pass to set up a scoring chance. He reads the play well and can anticipate where his teammates are headed. While Foerster is not a big hitter, he does do a good job of chasing down loose pucks and pressuring defencemen with the puck on the forecheck, helping his team to regain possession and creating scoring chances.
Defensive Game
Foerster is also a good defensive player. He supports against the transition game with effective backpressure and by being in the right position. His active stick cuts down passing lanes and can intercept passes, leading to turnovers and transition offence. Foerster uses his hockey IQ and ability to read the play in the defensive zone, as he is rarely out of position. He is committed to helping the defence down low when needed and has the size to help contain the opponent’s cycle game.
Projection and Comparison
Foerster projects as more of a winger than a centre going forward. His excellent shot and release can be deadly, especially on the power play. He could grow to be an effective winger at even-strength at the pro level as well. His game has a maturity to it already and his willingness to work hard is something coaches will love. The vast improvement in his game over the last year also suggests that he is highly coachable. In terms of a player comparison, Foerster does many similar things to Steven Stamkos. It must be cautioned though, that this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Tyson Foerster that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Tyson Foerster Main Photo:
OSHAWA, ON – JANUARY 26: Tyson Foerster #71 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 26, 2020, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
