Accountant Turned Goalie For One Night in NHL

[Mr. Hand 482]

How cool is this story!

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/36-year-old-accountant-with-no-nhl-experience-stars-in-blackhawks-win/ar-AAvhTTg?li=BBnba9I

 

On Thursday night in the middle of a National Hockey League game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets, an unfamiliar figure in a No. 90 Blackhawks jersey stepped onto the ice at the United Center.

‘‘Hey who’s this guy?’’ an announcer joked.

That guy was Scott Foster, the team’s emergency goalie, a 36-year-old accountant who hadn’t played in a competitive hockey game in more than 10 years. He played hockey for Western Michigan University from 2002 to 2005 and plays in recreational ‘‘beer leagues.’’ But Foster has never played in the NHL.

Less than 15 minutes after taking the ice, Foster emerged a hockey legend, delivering a performance that left everyone who watched it in awe.

‘‘Scott Foster is officially somehow the most improbable, unlikely story in Chicago sports in March, knocking off Loyola’s run to the Final Four. An accountant who plays in a beer league coming in and playing goalie and shutting down an actual NHL team for more than half a period,’’ Matt Lindner wrote on Twitter.

But how did the father-of-two and recreational player end up trending on Twitter and stealing the spotlight from fellow Blackhawk Brent Seabrook, who played his 1,000th-regular-season game that same night?

Foster is one of a small group of ‘‘emergency backup’’ goaltenders who are kept on hand, usually in the press box or the stands, in the highly unlikely event both regular goalies on the roster are hurt or otherwise unavailable.

It is ‘‘among hockey’s great quirks,’’ as Hockey News put it, ‘‘is that it’s the only pro sport with the potential for someone not on the roster to come out of the stands and actually play in the game.’’ But, ‘‘it takes a very rare set of circumstances to open that door . . .’’

Hours before the game, goaltender Anton Forsberg injured himself during a morning practice, according to the Chicago Tribune. Down to one goalie, rookie Collin Delia, the Blackhawks signed Foster as an emergency back-up.

This isn’t the first time Foster has been tapped for the role. In a post-game interview, he said he had been designated as the emergency goalie for 12 or 15 games this season, but his usual duties involved sitting in the press box and taking advantage of the free food.

So imagine his surprise when he learned that Delia - in the midst of his own NHL debut - had suffered an injury in the third period, and he was needed.

‘‘The initial shock happened when I had to dress and then I think you just kind of black out after that,’’ Foster said.

The cameras trained on him as he made his way past a bemused Joel Quenneville, the Blackhawks’ coach, and other players. Despite wearing his hockey helmet, his eyes betrayed utter bewilderment.

When asked if he received any advice before his big moment, Foster said, ‘‘I don’t think I heard anything other than ‘Put your helmet on’.’’

It turns out no advice was needed.

Foster was an impenetrable wall, stopping all seven of the shots he faced, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

In the 14 minutes and one second that Foster played, the Internet went wild.

His spotless performance stunned fans, with Sun-Times reporter Satchel Price tweeting an all-caps reminder that Foster had ‘‘NEVER PLAYED PRO HOCKEY.’’

His spotless performance even earned him the team belt, which is awarded to the player of the game.

What a night.

‘‘This is something that no one can ever take away from me,’’ Foster said. ‘‘It’s something that I can go home and tell my kids.’’

In an instant, Foster became an icon for adult recreational hockey players who imagine themselves playing in the NHL.

On Twitter, a user tweeted that Foster ‘‘is why we all keep plugging away in beer leagues and pick up games.’’

His story was even compared to other inspirational sports moments, like Rudy Ruettiger taking the field with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Despite his newfound fame, Foster said he still has to go back to his day job, where he will trade his Blackhawks jersey for a button-down shirt.

‘‘Who would have thought?’’ he said. ‘‘You just keep grinding away in men’s league and eventually you get your shot.’’

 

 

 

[TimmySmith 2,782]

Toughest position in pro sports. Great story.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Don't get me wrong it's a cool story but how am I supposed to take this sport seriously.

 

I mean and no other sport do you do that. I mean some Sunday morning they're not going to just Wrangle out some bartender and he's playing quarterback in the NFL. Although one could argue that would still be better than anything Cleveland has seen and 25 years

[Mr. Hand 482]

Don't get me wrong it's a cool story but how am I supposed to take this sport seriously.

 

I mean and no other sport do you do that. I mean some Sunday morning they're not going to just Wrangle out some bartender and he's playing quarterback in the NFL. Although one could argue that would still be better than anything Cleveland has seen and 25 years

Such a Debbie Downer

[vuduchile 1,941]

Don't get me wrong it's a cool story but how am I supposed to take this sport seriously.

 

I mean and no other sport do you do that. I mean some Sunday morning they're not going to just Wrangle out some bartender and he's playing quarterback in the NFL. Although one could argue that would still be better than anything Cleveland has seen and 25 years

True. But the first and best reason not to take this sport seriously is the side show fist fights.

 

Just focking stupid as hell.

[lickin_starfish 1,480]

Why don't NHL teams hire 600 lb fat focks to be goalies? Big 'ol fat fockers that block the whole goal.

[Mr. Hand 482]

Why don't NHL teams hire 600 lb fat focks to be goalies? Big 'ol fat fockers that block the whole goal.

It would give Sho a job!

[Sho Nuff 719]

Why don't NHL teams hire 600 lb fat focks to be goalies? Big 'ol fat fockers that block the whole goal.

Because they would get scored on constantly.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Such a Debbie Downer

The regular goalie probably has pancreatic cancer.

 

Hah..just kidding.

Not trying to be a downer it just amazes me this actually happens. I like the story though. How much fun would that be.

[lickin_starfish 1,480]

I'm talking about people so massive, that a puck can't squeeze past them.

 

https://images-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/uploads/images/file/43625/milla-my-600-lb-life-750-500-copy.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&h=500&q=55&w=750

[Cdub100 3,380]

Don't get me wrong it's a cool story but how am I supposed to take this sport seriously.

 

I mean and no other sport do you do that. I mean some Sunday morning they're not going to just Wrangle out some bartender and he's playing quarterback in the NFL. Although one could argue that would still be better than anything Cleveland has seen and 25 years

Kurt Warner was bagging groceries...

[Voltaire 4,556]

I'm talking about people so massive, that a puck can't squeeze past them.

 

https://images-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/uploads/images/file/43625/milla-my-600-lb-life-750-500-copy.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&h=500&q=55&w=750

Still only covers 1/2-to-2/3 the net. Any decent marksman sniper can hit the other 1/3.

[kutulu 1,545]

Did he breastfeed anyone between periods?

[Sho Nuff 719]

I'm talking about people so massive, that a puck can't squeeze past them.

 

https://images-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/uploads/images/file/43625/milla-my-600-lb-life-750-500-copy.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&h=500&q=55&w=750

There is no such person to cover the entire met...nor can they skate and stay in the same spot there.

 

You think a guy that big can get his legs down and spread to stop pucks from going in low?

[Mr. Hand 482]

There is no such person to cover the entire met...nor can they skate and stay in the same spot there.

 

You think a guy that big can get his legs down and spread to stop pucks from going in low?

You must be such a joy to be around.

[iam90sbaby 2,124]

I'm talking about people so massive, that a puck can't squeeze past them.

 

https://images-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/uploads/images/file/43625/milla-my-600-lb-life-750-500-copy.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&h=500&q=55&w=750

 

I've always wondered this too. I would get biggest fattest focker I could find and plop him in front of the goal.

[mighty_thor 115]

Don't get me wrong it's a cool story but how am I supposed to take this sport seriously.

 

I mean and no other sport do you do that. I mean some Sunday morning they're not going to just Wrangle out some bartender and he's playing quarterback in the NFL. Although one could argue that would still be better than anything Cleveland has seen and 25 years

The guy was a college goalie. He still plays in two beer leagues. I play in a beer league myself. There are different levels of beer leagues and at the rink I play at, the top beer league level consists of mostly former college hockey players and in the summer current college players. And goalies in these leagues get to play for practically free. It's called a beer league, because (at least in mine) you bring a cooler to the game and drink beers after the game (some guys on my team have a couple before the game too). So, the guy likely is not really just a complete stiff they dragged off the street. The Blackhawks protected him well and he only faced 7 shots. Goalie is a tough position but you just have to stop shots, you don't need to know plays or fit in with your teammates. Almost like a kicker or punter in that you just need to do your job. They do play a big factor in the outcome of game though.

[5-Points 2,726]

That's pretty focking cool. Guy got his shot at the bigs and killed it. Good for him!

[Sho Nuff 719]

 

I've always wondered this too. I would get biggest fattest

focker I could find and plop him in front of the goal.

And your team would be dominated.

[Mookz 1,287]

That reminds me of the old joke, "what's the difference between an accountant and a hockey goalie?"

 

One, especially during tax season, may be apt to look to exploit loopholes, while the other would be more inclined to prevent loopholes, or rather "holes" in a more general (and literal) sense, from being exploited.

 

 

[Cdub100 3,380]

That reminds me of the old joke, "what's the difference between an accountant and a hockey goalie?"

 

One, especially during tax season, may be apt to look to exploit loopholes, while the other would be more inclined to prevent loopholes, or rather "holes" in a more general (and literal) sense, from being exploited.

 

 

I'm going to go kill a puppy because of this joke.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

Here is another quirk. The NHL requires the home team to have an emergency goalie on hand in case either team needs them. So, this guy could have played for either Chicago or Winnipeg last night in that game.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Kurt Warner was bagging groceries...

Not really. He got drafted, cut and made a tryout for an arena team when it came to town for a new arena league level team.

 

Not like he worked that day pushing carts then went and played for the Patriots on Sunday night.

[Mookz 1,287]

I'm going to go kill a puppy because of this joke.

 

It's all in how ya tell it, dude.

[Voltaire 4,556]

Does he get a hockey card? He almost surely has to.

[mighty_thor 115]

 

I've always wondered this too. I would get biggest fattest focker I could find and plop him in front of the goal.

The net is 4' high X 6' wide. So you want a a fat fock to just lay down in front of the net and cover 4'X6'. the Leg Pads are a maximum 11" wide each. So you won't be covering the entire net with the legs. So you really need the guy to have ginourmous stomach that covers the entire net. The fattest waist in history is 119". 2PiR=Circumference R=19" D=38" . If his stomach was completely round when he was laying down its height would be: 38". That would leave at least 10" at the top of the net and likely much more as the fat tends to settle at the bottom like a pancake making that height a lot shorter. Maybe the fattest guy ever could cover around 30% of the net and that's being generous. So the fat fock will actually have to move to stop pucks. Fat guys are too slow.

 

wonder no more.

[shotsup 832]

I know the emergency goalie on hand thing but I would think another player on the team would suit up - kind of like a position player taking the mound to rest arms in mop up duty.

[parrot 789]

I'm sure he was a liability, but that's no reason to depreciate his efforts.

[Sho Nuff 719]

I'm sure he was a liability, but that's no reason to depreciate his efforts.

Your first statement seems off...he looked like a real asset out there.

[parrot 789]

Your first statement seems off...he looked like a real asset out there.

 

I don't know, I bet there was a big GAAP between him and the regular guy.

[Sho Nuff 719]

 

I don't know, I bet there was a big GAAP between him and the regular guy.

Unsure...I have yet to perform a full audit of his performance.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/f/fostesc01.html

[shotsup 832]

What do you think an emergency goalie gets paid to be on hand (and not even dress) ??

[mighty_thor 115]

What do you think an emergency goalie gets paid to be on hand (and not even dress) ??

 

I believe they get around $100 for gas and parking.

[Mr. Hand 482]

According to this they don't get paid

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2016/12/3/13829264/eric-semborski-blackhawks-emergency-goalie-flyers-compensation-2016

[iam90sbaby 2,124]

The net is 4' high X 6' wide. So you want a a fat fock to just lay down in front of the net and cover 4'X6'. the Leg Pads are a maximum 11" wide each. So you won't be covering the entire net with the legs. So you really need the guy to have ginourmous stomach that covers the entire net. The fattest waist in history is 119". 2PiR=Circumference R=19" D=38" . If his stomach was completely round when he was laying down its height would be: 38". That would leave at least 10" at the top of the net and likely much more as the fat tends to settle at the bottom like a pancake making that height a lot shorter. Maybe the fattest guy ever could cover around 30% of the net and that's being generous. So the fat fock will actually have to move to stop pucks. Fat guys are too slow.

 

wonder no more.

 

 

Does the goalie have to stand up the entire time? Lay this fatazz down on his side.

 

[Sho Nuff 719]

 

 

Does the goalie have to stand up the entire time? Lay this fatazz down on his side.

So the top part of the net is now wide open?

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

 

 

Does the goalie have to stand up the entire time? Lay this fatazz down on his side.

 

 

I think that you are missing the fact that the goalie would end up taking a slapshot to a place that would cause him to move because he is in pain and he would never control the rebound.

[iam90sbaby 2,124]

 

I think that you are missing the fact that the goalie would end up taking a slapshot to a place that would cause him to move because he is in pain and he would never control the rebound.

 

Why has no one ever tried though?

[Sho Nuff 719]

 

Why has no one ever tried though?

Because its a terrible idea?