By Matt Stefano
A pair of Soo Thunderbird graduates have made the NHL Central Scouting’s Midseason Rankings list for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in June.
Those two Soo Thunderbird graduates are defenceman Andrew Gibson and forward Cooper Foster.
Gibson, who is currently in his first season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds, spent last season with the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds, where he finished first in team goals with 21 and second in team scoring with 51 points.
In 38 games played this season with the Soo Greyhounds, Gibson has so far put up 7 goals and 11 assists.
Gibson, who doesn’t turn 18-years-old until February 13, is ranked 32nd on this year’s NHL Central Scouting’s Midseason Rankings list.
Foster, who is currently in his first season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, also spent last season with the NOJHL’s Soo Thunderbirds, where he finished first in team scoring with 60 points and also finished first in team assists with 42.
In 38 games played this season with the Ottawa 67’s, Foster has so far put up 15 goals and 12 assists.
Foster, who doesn’t turn 18-years-old until June 4, is ranked 74th on this year’s NHL Central Scouting’s Midseason Rankings list.
Gibson and Foster, who were the top two scorers last season on the Soo Thunderbirds, also helped the Soo Thunderbirds last season to an NOJHL title.
This year’s NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to take place from June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena (Home of the Nashville Predators) in Nashville Tennessee.
DID YOU KNOW?
Right now there are a total of three former Soo Thunderbirds that are currently playing in the National Hockey League, including Jake Muzzin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Colin Miller (Dallas Stars) and Boris Katchouk (Chicago Blackhawks).
All three of those players also went on to play with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds before moving up to the National Hockey League.
(Photos of former Soo Thunderbirds Andrew Gibson (Left) and Cooper Foster (Right) credit to Bob Davies)
