DRAFT PROFILE | Liam Foudy – Benefiting From A Knights Rebuild

by Matt Smith, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

We will continue our look at prospective draft picks for the Montreal Canadiens at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft with Liam Foudy of the London Knights.

Liam Foudy, C, London Knights (OHL) 
February 04, 2000 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
6-1, 182 lbs. | Shoots Left | @foudshow
2017-’18: 65 GP, 24 G, 16 A, 40 PTS

CSB: No. 19 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. | THN: No. 44 | HP: No. 51 | FC: No. 49

When the London Knights opted to rebuild this season, moving Cliff Pu (Buffalo Sabres), Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh Penguins), Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues) and Max Jones (Anaheim Ducks), suddenly Liam Foudy, who had been playing a bottom-six role, was given more ice time and responsibility. Foudy didn’t disappoint.

Foudy had just seven points (four goals, three assists) in his first 35 games of the season. In his final 30 games, being given the trust of head coach Dale Hunter, Foudy had 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists). This increased production has moved Foudy from a mid-term rank of 91^st amongst North American skaters to a final Central Scouting ranking of 19^th. During the OHL Coaches Poll, Foudy was also named the Western Conference most-improved player.

During the NHL Combine, Foudy was a standout finishing in the top four of the following categories.

• Wingate Cycle Ergometer Test -Peak Power Output (watts/kg) – First (19.8)
• Bench Press – 50% of Body Weight (Power-watts/kg) – Fourth (7.72)
• Vertical Jump (inches) – First (27.65)
• Squat Jump (inches) – Second (21.87)
• No Arm Jump (inches) – First (27.81)
• Pro Agility Left (sec) – First (4.2)
• Pro Agility Right (sec) – Second (4.3)
• Standing Long Jump (inches) – First (118.8)

Foudy’s father (Sean Foudy) was a defensive back in the CFL for six seasons, playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders, and the B.C. Lions. His mother, sprinter France Gareau, is a 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist (4 x 100 metres), so it seems that athleticism is in his blood. His brother Jean-Luc was recently drafted 10^th overall by the Windsor Spitfires during the OHL Priority Selection Draft.

Foudy recently represented Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF U-18 World Championships, scoring two goals and two assists in five games. Canada lost to the Czech Republic during the quarterfinals, finishing 5^th overall. He also played for Team Orr during the Sherwin-Williams CHL Top Prospects game, replacing Vancouver Giants forward Milos Roman, picking up an assist, in a 7-4 loss.

#CHL announces #SWTP roster change:

Liam Foudy (LDN) added to Team Orr replacing Milos Roman (VAN).

DETAILS: https://t.co/XFdeNq3Bv0 pic.twitter.com/jzJJxfovSm

— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) January 19, 2018

An exceptionally fast skater, who rapidly reaches top gear, Foudy has the ability to use his speed in all situations, to fly past defenders, transition from offense to defense, and contribute to the penalty-kill as a shorthanded threat. This season, he scored five goals shorthanded.

While speed is his main weapon, Foudy protects the puck well and will battle for pucks along the boards. However, he will need to gain strength and be more willing to engage physically. If he’s able to do this as a professional, while maintaining top-end speed, he could develop into a heat-seeking missile on the forecheck.

His offensive game should be taken to a new level next season, playing top minutes, as Dale Hunter will look for Foudy to take on more leadership responsibilities on a rebuilding London Knights team. With a shooting percentage of 17.6 last season, he should also be instructed to shoot the puck much more often. Increased power-play time should also be expected, as Foudy scored just one power-play goal last season, playing behind veteran forwards.

Foudy has quickly moved up the NHL Draft rankings, and could be an option as a late first round pick.  However, in my opinion, he’ll likely be selected early on day two of the draft.

With four selections in the second round, Foudy could very well be a target for the Montreal Canadiens, and not just because he’s listed as a centre. His elite level skating, and underrated offensive game should be enough to be a strong second-round consideration.