Thunderbird graduates Gibson and Foster ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings

By Matt Stefano

The NHL Entry Draft is getting set to get underway in Music City (Nashville, Tennessee) in just over two months!

And at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, at least two Soo Thunderbird graduates are expected to take centre stage wearing NHL jerseys.

On Tuesday, the National Hockey League officially released its Central Scouting’s Final Rankings for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, and has Soo Thunderbirds graduates Andrew Gibson and Cooper Foster included on the list.

Gibson is ranked 31st (Making him a potential 1st round pick) and Foster is ranked 88th (Making him a potential 3rd round pick).

Gibson, who just completed his first season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds, put up 7 goals and 21 points in 45 games this season with the Hounds, and was also named the Soo Greyhounds Rookie of the Year for the 2022-2023 season.

The 18-year-old blueliner has also been selected to participate with Canada’s National Mens Under-18 Team at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship, beginning on April 20 in Porrentruy, Switzerland.

Prior to making the Greyhounds, Gibson played one season with the Soo Thunderbirds during 2021-2022, where he notched 21 goals and 51 points in 40 regular season games.

Foster, who is currently in his first season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, recorded 19 goals and 37 points in 63 regular season games, and was also named the 67’s Rookie of the Year for the 2022-2023 season.

In 8 games played so far in the playoffs, the 17-year-old forward has 2 goals and 0 assists.

Prior to making the 67’s, Foster played one season with the Soo Thunderbirds during 2021-2022, where he finished first in team scoring with 60 points (18g 42a) in 38 regular season games.

Both Gibson and Foster also helped the Soo Thunderbirds win the Copeland Cup McNamara Trophy in 2022.

NOTE

This year’s NHL Entry Draft will run from June 28 – June 29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

WordPress Image Lightbox Plugin