FOO EARNS RAVE REVIEW FROM FORMER COACH

No more than a half-hour's drive from leafy, austere, 222-year old Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., stands the equally celebrated Saratoga Race Track.
No end of great athletes have pounded down the backstretch at the track nicknamed House of Upsets. Man o' War, Secretariat, Gallant Fox and American Pharaoh, to name but a few.
A thoroughbred of a different sort steps out onto his chosen track for the first time Wednesday, far from the familiar competitive environs of the New York campus.
"This,'' says Union Dutchmen coach Rick Bennett of Spencer Foo, "is a driven young man.
"What's most impressive about him? Some people call it 'motor.' Compete level.
"There are many names for it.
"He has it.
"Always did, but that quality kind of came to the forefront the last two years with us. And it was really impressive, was really infectious throughout our lineup.
"We had a couple of guys who really pushed, worked so hard, set the tone, and the rest followed their lead. Spencer was one of those players.
"And he was rewarded for that."

When the Calgary Flames open development camp out at WinSport all eyes are apt to be lasered in on Foo, the most sought-after collegiate free agent of the summer. He spurned the chance to play alongside brother Parker - a Chicago Blackhawks fifth-round pick a couple weeks back from the AJHL Brooks Bandits - in a final season at Union as well as the undeniable lure of signing with his hometown Edmonton Oilers in order to sign here.

"I'm a big, big fan of Spencer,'' praises Bennett. "He always prepared like a pro. He always had that little edge to his game. A focused guy.
"What he's giving up more than most people realize, I think. But I also don't think anybody's going to feel sorry for Spencer Foo.
"He's going to think things through. He's that kind of kid. Very thorough. He's not looking for the quick fix like a lot of players coming out of college, out of junior, out of wherever. They just want to play a game, or a few games.
"Spencer's not in it for that.
"He wants a career and having spent a lot of time around him I know he'll do whatever the coaches tell him so he can have longevity in the National Hockey League."
Foo put up back-to-back 25-point ECAC seasons before scoring 26 goals and 62 points for the Dutchmen and earning a Hobey Baker finalist nod to set all the suitors in pursuit.
In explaining his deciding on Calgary as a pro destination among any number, Foo word has used the word "fit." Often.
"It's tough for me to tell anybody there what I know about their lineup,'' says Bennett, entering his seventh season in charge at Union this fall. "We had a guy who left early, Josh Jooris, who you people are familiar with, and he's made the most of it.
"I know Josh isn't in Calgary anymore but he had an opportunity and that's all you can ask for."
In anticipation of an outside interest crush, Calgary GM Brad Treliving has been tempering expectations for the 6-foot, 189-pound 23-year-old right winger/centre.
The nurturing process, Treliving advises, will take time and patience.
"I'm not here to pick apart his game,'' reasons Bennett. "If he was returning to Union I'd say: Have the same kind of summer you did a year ago, and more, coming back for your senior year.
"I'm sure that's what he's hearing from the Flames now, too.
"To play in the National Hockey League you need to be able to skate, have some size to you and obviously you've gotta be able to think the game.
"Spencer starts with all that but it's the compete level I mentioned that really stands out.
"How long does it take him to get there? Who knows?
"But, as I said, he's a very determined, driven young man."