Tags
2017 NHL Draft, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Parker Foo, Philadelphia Flyers, Spencer Foo, Union College
CHICAGO – Parker and Spencer Foo share more than a brotherly bond.
Parker is a scoring machine who tallied 34 goals and 32 assists in 60 games last season for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Big brother Spencer is also a sniper – NCAA Division I hockey’s fourth-leading scorer in 2016-17 with 26 goals and 36 assists in 38 games as a junior for Union College.
Both are coveted by National Hockey League teams. The Chicago Blackhawks chose Parker Foo, an 18-year-old center, in the fifth round with the 144th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft at Chicago’s United Center.
AUDIO: Bandit forward Parker Foo talks about being selected in the 5th round of the NHL Draft by Chicago: https://t.co/PFBXumdMSz #AJHL pic.twitter.com/IlyIkSW44u
— Tyler King (@tyler_king) June 24, 2017
Meanwhile, Spencer, a 23-year-old right wing, has committed to playing for the Calgary Flames, ending a bidding war among NHL teams from his hometown Edmonton Oilers to the Philadelphia Flyers for his college free agent services. Spencer’s signing will be formally announced on Saturday.
"Calgary presented itself with a great opportunity & (it's) also a team that's right on the verge of winning." https://t.co/9ZiiVDg1Rs
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 28, 2017
Welcome to the #CofRed, @spencerfoo! pic.twitter.com/AR8odgnMh5
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 27, 2017
As for Parker, he was elated by being tapped by the Blackhawks. He didn’t attend the draft, not wanting to get his expectations too high. He did visit the Windy City a few weeks ago to attend a pre-draft combine.
“It’s incredible (to be selected by the Blackhawks),” he told The Calgary Herald. “I was there a couple of weeks ago. It’s a top-notch facility. Everything is incredible there — mind-boggling really. Obviously, the Blackhawks are an unreal team — all the superstars, and the coach is unbelievable.”
Parker is coming off an incredible 2016-17 season. He was the Bandits’ second-leading goal-scorer and fifth on the team in overall scoring – the combination of goals and assists. He was AJHL’s fourth-leading goal scorer during the regular season.
Foo was second on the Bandits and fourth in the AJHL in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 10 assists in 13 games. In addition, he tallied 4 goals and 5 assists in five games to help the Bandits win the Western Canada Cup.
With 7 points in 4 games, Parker Foo is the @CJHL_WCC Top Scorer Award winner! #AJHL pic.twitter.com/v9RL4BELcA
— Brooks Bandits (@BrooksBandits) May 6, 2017
Parker won’t be playing for Chicago any time soon. He’s committed to play NCAA Division I hockey next season. Where? Union College, just like his high-scoring brother did.
Parker was one of five players of Asian heritage picked by NHL teams in the weekend draft.
The others were:
Nick Suzuki, forward, Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League, by the Vegas Golden Knights, first round, 13th overall pick; Kailer Yamamoto, forward, Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, by the Oilers, first round, 22nd overall pick; Jason Robertson, forward, Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, by the Dallas Stars, second round, 43rd overall pick; Tyler Inamoto, defense, USA Hockey National Development Team, fifth round, 133rd pick overall.
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