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Accountant plays goalie for Chicago Blackhawks, stops all seven shots he faces

nick bromberg
Senior writer


NHL emergency goalie stories are always fun. They’re even better when the emergency goalie doesn’t allow a goal when he’s pressed into action during a win.

The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Thursday night while using accountant Scott Foster in goal. Foster stopped all seven shots he faced in the last 14 minutes of the third period after coming on for starter Collin Delia.

Delia, who came to the Blackhawks from the minors the day before, was slated to be the backup goalie for the game but had to start when Anton Forsberg was injured before the game. Delia played well in his first-ever NHL start and saved 25 of 27 shots he faced.

But he started cramping in the third period and the cramps were so severe that he was forced to leave the game. That meant Foster had to enter.

Foster, 36, wasn’t literally pulled from the grandstands. A former college goalie, he plays recreationally and is a member of the emergency goalie roster for Blackhawks home games as teams are required to have a backup goalie available to either team in case none of the professional goalies in attendance can play.

But going from “available if needed” to “actually being needed” is a massive, and rare occurrence. For many emergency goalies, simply getting to put on an NHL jersey is a huge thrill.

”The initial shock happened when I had to dress. I think you just kind of black out after that,” Foster said via the AP.

Foster played collegiately at Western Michigan from 2002-06 and plays in a league at Johnny’s Ice House in the Chicago area. The rink was paying attention when Foster had the opportunity to dress for the game and everyone there started watching when Foster was inserted into the game.

Foster acquitted himself well too. Not bad for a guy who was literally sitting at his desk doing his day job earlier Thursday.

”A few hours ago I was sitting on the computer typing on a 10-key, and now I’m standing in front of you guys having just finished 14 1/2 minutes of NHL hockey,” he cracked.

And he got the Blackhawks belt for his trouble. Because of his appearance, the Blackhawks became just the fourth team since 1943 to play two goalies making their NHL debuts.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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