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Kevin Nagel Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports tember. But as much as Foss might make it look easy, he's had to work hard for his success. Overlooked in the Ontario Hockey League draft, Foss made the most of an invitation to the Windsor Spitfires camp as a 17-year-old. Having grown four inches and put on 30 pounds (he's now 6-foot-3, 183 lbs.) since the draft, he was better equipped for the OHL and earned a spot on a strong Spitfires team. After recording just three assists in his first 18 OHL games, Foss erupted for a hat trick against Mississauga and added goals in his next two games as well. He finished his rookie season with 13 goals and 29 points over his final 40 games. His size and ability to protect the puck caught the attention of NHL scouts. He attended the scouting combine and was ranked 91st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2014 draft. Once again, he would not hear his name called on draft day, although the Anaheim Ducks did invite him to their rookie camp. The following season, both Foss and the Spitfires got off to a slow start and he was dealt to the Guelph Storm. Without the same opportunities he had in Windsor, Foss finished the season with just nine points in 50 games. He returned to Guelph in the fall looking to bounce back. Despite averaging a point per game in preseason games, the rebuilding Storm cut Foss to make room for younger players. "I definitely had some doubts," Foss said. "I've always known I can perform. I just had to listen to myself, but there were a few times it was frustrating." After a brief stint in the Quebec Major Junior League with Drummondville, Foss began looking for his next opportunity to prove himself. And there was little doubt where he wanted that to be. "I always wanted to play for the Oakville Blades," he said. "I thought if I came back from major junior, Oakville was always the team I wanted to play for." Foss's agent contacted Daley, the Blades GM at the time, who was more than happy to add another skilled local player to the lineup. There was an adjustment to be made, though. Foss had just five points in his first 1 1/2 months with the team. "The thing I noticed was that I was forcing plays," he said. "In the OHL, I wasn't used to having that split second to look for other options." Now, Daley says Foss's play with the puck is the hallmark of his game. "He has the ability to hold on to the puck that extra second and not panic when he has the puck in 25 | Friday, October 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Blades' cool, calm Foss meshes with teammates By Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver staff Ryan Foss's junior hockey career has been a bit of roller coaster ride. Despite the 20-year-old's highs and lows, Oakville Blades vicepresident of hockey operations Mike Daley says one of his best attributes may be the ability to maintain an even keel. While Daley coached most of the 13 Oakville-raised players on the Blades roster during their minor hockey careers, he didn't know as much about Foss. Any concerns about how he would mesh with his new teammates were answered quickly. "He's a calm guy, really laid back," Daley said. "We have some high-strung guys so he's a nice balance. To see how well he's fit in is pretty impressive." Foss has been a pretty good fit on the ice as well. Playing with Bryce Misley and captain Jackson Bales, Foss and his linemates have been one of the Ontario Junior Hockey League's most productive trios. They have combined for 24 goals and 58 points through 15 games for an Oakville team that sits atop the South Division with a 10-4-1 mark. Seven goals and 11 assists in his first nine games of the season earned Foss the conference's player-of-the-month award for Sep- Ryan Foss is averaging more than a point a game for the Blades. | Andy Corneau -- OJHL Images traffic," he said. "That's an element every team loves." In the calendar year 2016, Foss has produced well over a point a game with 16 goals and 53 points in 43 games. "I think it just helps having another year under my belt," Foss said. Daley sees another reason. Foss had offers from Canadian universities but opted to return to the Blades this season. "I think coming back to Oakville brought the joy back to the game," Daley said. There are bound to be more offers for the 20-year-old following this season, one that Foss says should include a long playoff run. And Daley says there will still be plenty of hockey for Foss to play following his university career. "He's still skinny, but if he fills out, the skill is there for him to be a very good pro player." 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