Foo making transition to center for Dutchmen

by Ryan Fay

Spencer Foo spent his freshman season as one of Union’s top right wing options.

But that was then.

Foo has transitioned from right wing to center
for the Dutchmen this season.
(credit: Union College Athletics)

Now a sophomore, Foo has moved to center for the Dutchmen, who open ECAC Hockey action this weekend with a home-and-home series against Capital District rival RPI. Union (2-1-3) hosts RPI (1-4-0) on Friday before going to the Houston Field House on Saturday.

The position change came about after Union graduated two of its centers following last season, Mark Bennett and Max Novak. The departures left the Dutchmen a little short at center, and head coach Rick Bennett thought Foo was a good candidate to move into the role.

“We felt like we wanted to have some depth down the middle, and having Spencer there really helps us,” Bennett said before Wednesday’s practice at Messa Rink. “He’s a bigger body, he's good on faceoffs, and he's kind of the prototypical center that you like. He’s done a nice job so far.”

Bennett added the move was a challenge Foo was ready for in the second year of his college career.

“It’s kind of the progression Jeremy Welsh went through his freshman year [before moving] to center,” Bennett said of the former Union star. "We require so much from our centers. Sometimes you come in as a freshman and it takes a year to grasp.”

Foo isn’t a total newcomer to the position. He played it during his junior hockey career with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs and at the midget level. But it brings a different set of responsibilities than what he had as a right wing last season.

“When you’re a winger, you’re mostly just on your point man in the defensive zone. You have to worry about him blocking shots a lot,” said Foo, who is tied for third on the team in scoring with two goals and an assist. “Once you transition to center, it’s a little different in the ‘D zone. It’s a little bit more work. But once you get it down, it’s not too bad.”

With the move to center, Foo has already taken more faceoffs than he took all of last season. He said it’s an area that gets worked on a couple times a week after practice with first-year volunteer assistant coach Kris Horn.

The efforts have paid off for Foo. His .580 winning percentage on draws ranks second on the team, a few ticks behind Mike Vecchione’s .632 mark. His 47 faceoff wins are third on the team, trailing just Vecchione (98) and Ryan Scarfo (53).

“He’s been fantastic at center,” said Vecchione, one of Union’s co-captains and a fellow center. “He’s been winning his draws, and he’s one of our best players out there. He’s creating a lot of ice for himself, winning the one-on-one battles, giving the bench energy, and doing all the little things right. He's really taken the challenge of center and has done a great job at it."

Foo has played all six games at center so far this season. It’s a spot Bennett says has the potential to become his long-term home.

“It’s where I think he wants to play,” Bennett said. “When someone wants to play there, it’s good for the overall team, and it’s good for the player’s psyche.”

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