Foley Playing Beyond His Years Between the Pipes

Editor's Note: We'll be running several features on members of the Wilmington boys hockey team in advance of Monday night's North Division 2 championship game between the Wildcats and Winthrop at Tsongas Arena. Puck drops at 6 p.m.

Wilmington goaltender Drew Foley is just a sophomore. You wouldn’t know it watching him play.

Foley has been a critical piece for the Wildcats, who play Winthrop on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Tsongas Center with a state championship berth on the line. He’s allowed just three goals so far in the playoffs, and let up just 1.65 scores per game during the regular season.

“He is the best goalie I’ve ever played with,” said . “Drew doesn’t ever get rattled. Everything you tell him to be ready for, he does perfectly. There’s really nothing bad to say about him.”

According to the young goaltender, the opening game of the season vaulted him to success. The , 1-1, and the sophomore said it gave him confidence going forward that he could keep top tier teams out of the net. Foley made 39 saves to put Wilmington in position to tie the Tanners in the final minute of the game.

Wildcat head coach Steve Scanlon said Foley is a technically sound goalie, and is rarely out of position. In addition, Scanlon said Foley has a sixth sense for the puck on the occasion that he does lose sight of it.

“He’s been the backbone of our team,” said Scanlon. “Considering he’s had limited experience, he certainly doesn’t play like that. From day one he’s looked like he’s been there before. That’s a unique thing for a first year player. Usually there’s some type of learning curve. But for him there was really none of that. He jumped right in.”

As strange as it may sound, Foley is a key player in the Wildcat offense as well. Senior captain Dalton Rolli said because the forwards and defensemen know they have such a strong goalie behind them, they feel like they can take more risks in the attacking zone.

Rolli said the way Foley handles himself is contagious.

“He’s so relaxed in net, and it really calms everyone down,” said Rolli. “It’s amazing to see him make so many big saves on such a large stage.  He’s just stepped up every night. Watching him has helped me a bit to relax knowing that we have him there to lean on.”

Scanlon said he only expects Foley’s performance to get stronger in upcoming years, a scary prospect for Wildcat opponents.

“I would say he’s ahead of the game,” said Scanlon. “His body is still maturing and he’s still a slight kid. I think he’ll fill in and get bigger and stronger. He has a really bright future.”

Always looking to improve, Foley said he spent recent practices stick handling more so he’s ready for a scenario when he’s caught out of the crease and forced to move the puck out of harm’s way.

With at most two games remaining in his sophomore season, Foley revealed the simple formula that’s gotten him to this point so far.

“As long as I give my team the chance to win, everything will work out,” said Foley.

So far, mission accomplished.