"It goes to all of my experiences with the game of hockey, the teammates I've had, the different places it's taken me," said Foley. "It's just one of those sports where you have a true connection with your teammates. Since I started playing it, I just loved it."
If you ask Friars Head Coach Nate Leaman, that's one of the many reasons Foley is so valuable to his NCAA squad; the fact that every day Foley comes to the rink, he's in a good mood because of what the game means to him.
As a veteran now in his third season, that rubs off on the others in the dressing room.
"He's a great kid. He's got a great smile and he brings energy to the rink and he loves hockey. He just loves hockey and that's kind of infectious," said Leaman.
In each of his three years with the Friars, Foley's game has improved drastically in a variety of areas. Leaman says the one thing that stands out this year is how he's using his teammates more and not trying to do everything himself.
"Learning to create his 2-on-1s; learning that when he draws two guys to him, to (pass)," explained Leaman. "This year he's attracted a lot of attention from opponents and I think early in the year he would beat one guy, and then try and beat the next one. He was getting frustrated at times because he's having two or three guys on him."
Foley agrees with Leaman's analysis of his game and he says he has worked hard on changing the way that he thinks when he's on the ice, especially when he has the puck on his stick.
