Kurtis Foster is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on November 24, 1981, in Carp, Ontario, Canada. Foster began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes in 1998. He played for the Petes for four seasons, from 1998 to 2002, and was known for his offensive skills as a defenseman.
In 2000, Foster was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. However, he did not sign with the Flames and instead chose to play for the Atlanta Thrashers organization. Foster played for the Thrashers' minor league affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for two seasons before making his NHL debut in 2003.
Over the course of his NHL career, Foster played for several teams, including the Thrashers, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers. He was known for his powerful shot and offensive abilities, particularly on the power play. Foster scored a career-high 10 goals and 34 points in the 2009-2010 season while playing for the Lightning.
However, Foster's career was also marked by injuries. In March 2008, he suffered a broken leg while playing for the Wild, which required surgery and kept him out of the lineup for several months. Foster also suffered a serious injury in 2008 when he was hit in the throat by a puck during a game, which caused him to miss several games and required him to wear a protective collar for the rest of his career.
Despite his injuries, Foster continued to play in the NHL until 2013. He then played for several seasons in Europe, including stints in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Foster retired from professional hockey in 2017.
In addition to his playing career, Foster has also worked as a coach and broadcaster. He served as an assistant coach for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs in 2018-2019 and has worked as a color commentator for NHL games on Sportsnet. Foster is also involved in charitable work, including supporting organizations that help children with disabilities.
Overall, Kurtis Foster had a successful career as a professional hockey player, known for his offensive skills and powerful shot. Despite facing several injuries throughout his career, he continued to play at a high level for over a decade and has since transitioned into coaching and broadcasting.
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