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 Jean-Luc Foudy.
The younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy, Jean-Luc Foudy was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 OHL Draft. Last season, he put up eight goals and 41 assists for 49 points in 63 games. He led all OHL Rookies in assists. Foudy added one assist in four playoff games. He represented Team Canada Black at the U-17 WHC putting up a goal and three assists for four points in five tournament games.
This season, Foudy put up one goal and three assists for four points in five tournament games in winning a silver medal with Team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Back with the Windsor Spitfires, Foudy put up 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points in 59 games. Foudy had 27 points in the first 30 games of the season but seemed to slow down in the second half of the season. He also played for Team Red at the CHL Top Prospects Game. Foudy comes from athletic bloodlines. In addition to his brother, his father was a CFL player and Grey Cup Champion, and his mother was won a silver medal in the 4×100 metre relay at the 1984 Olympics.
Jean-Luc Foudy Scouting Report
Centre/Right Wing — shoots Right
Born May 13th, 2002 — Scarborough, Ontario
Height 5’11” — Weight 177 lbs [180 cm/80 kg]
Skating
Foudy is amongst the fastest players in the OHL, with his stride generating outstanding speed. He also has a very quick first step and excellent acceleration, allowing him to reach that speed in just a few strides. Foudy can generate breakaways by getting behind the defence on the breakout and taking a long pass from a teammate. He also has outstanding edgework and agility. Foudy is an absolute nightmare for a defender on the rush. He can beat them in a variety of ways. Foudy can work on adding more core strength though. By becoming stronger, he will have better balance and tougher to knock off the puck. This is something that may come as he becomes more mature physically.
Offensive Game
Foudy will need to work on improving his hands and his shooting to pair with that skating ability and become a truly dynamic offensive threat. Foudy is an effective playmaker with good vision and passing skills. Foudy makes quick cuts and changes speed very well. This opens passing lanes and changes angles. With good vision and passing skills, he is able to set up teammates for high-quality chances. He reads the play well and can anticipate where teammates are going to be and make a pass to them.
Foudy scores most of his goals in tight to the net. He has the speed to generate breakaways, and the soft hands to beat goaltenders in that situation. He could stand to get to the net more without the puck though. While he is willing to take the puck to the net, he needs to be willing to get there without the puck and take the physical pounding to create offence. He can also work to improve his wrist shot. As he gains strength, this may come.
Foudy has games where he is dominant. He can be dangerous on every shift, and look like the best player on the ice. He also has games where he is near invisible and does not create much. Foudy could work on being more consistent game-in and game-out.
Defensive Game
Foudy is also well-advanced defensively for a 17-year-old. His speed helps him in the defensive end. He can create turnovers and quickly transition to offence. Foudy is strong positionally and reads the play well. He provides effective backpressure against the transition game. He needs to work on being more physical though when he is supporting the defence down low on the backcheck. Foudy is willing to be involved but can be overpowered by bigger, stronger opponents. He also needs to work on his faceoffs if he is going to play centre at the next level.
Projection and Comparison
Foudy has played both centre and wing but has been better when used on the wing. He has the speed and passing skills to be a top-six forward at the next level but must improve his goal=scoring ability. Foudy also needs to improve his shot. He is a bit of a project, but the elite skating and strong puckhandling skills make him a risk worth taking. Next season will be huge for Foudy, as big things are expected out of him in Windsor. His game is similar to Paul Byron but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Jean-Luc Foudy that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Jean-Luc Foudy Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – MARCH 08: Goaltender Jacob Ingham #68 of the Kitchener Rangers makes a save on a shot from forward Jean-Luc Foudy #93 of the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on March 08, 2020, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
