For all that the American Hockey League plays host to high-end prospects, touted rookies and veterans unable to break the NHL, it also encompasses those players who have to fight tooth and nail to make it in the professional game.

Alex Foster was probably destined to play hockey, like his father, Dwight Foster, and uncle, Wes Jarvis, who both enjoyed NHL careers.

Foster’s formative years were spent in the USHL with Sioux Falls Stampede and Danville Wings before moving on to have a fine collegiate career with Bowling Green Falcons.
During his time in the CCHA, Foster finished 9th in freshman conference scoring and was a Hobey Baker Award candidate in his second year.

Undrafted, Foster was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 8, 2006, and reassigned to the Toronto Marlies the following day.
In the eight games he played in the back-end of the 2005-06 season, Foster scored his first professional goal. A tying marker which beat Mike Smith in net for Iowa Stars and led to a 4-1 victory for Toronto.

It’s not uncommon for rookies to struggle during their early days in the American League and it’s fair to say that Foster didn’t set the world alight during his first full professional season.

After just one game in the AHL, in which somewhat ironically he registered a single assist, Foster was reassigned to the ECHL with Columbia Inferno.
It was a move that proved productive for all parties concerned as the rookie notched eleven points in nine games, earning himself a recall in November.
Foster completed his first of what would be five seasons with the Marlies by accumulating seventeen points in 57 outings.

The American forward enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign as he racked up 46 points in 68 games including eighteen goals. His play also earned him his only shot in the NHL.

Perhaps his only disappointment might be that he was never allowed to wear the Leaf on home ice. Three NHL games were all on the road in New York (lslanders), Buffalo and Ottawa and he failed to garner a point.
Back with the Marlies later that season, the Centreman played an important role in the playoff run which only ended in the Conference Final to the eventual champions, Chicago Wolves.

During the 2007-08 campaign, Foster set a Toronto Marlies franchise record which still stands today.
In the first game of the season, he netted a short-handed goal against the Rochester Americans.
Foster went on to accumulate five by February 24, 2008, besting the previous record and continues to hold that title with only Byron Froese in 2015-16 coming close to usurping him.

A reliable playmaker and leader during his time in the AHL, the Toronto Marlies opted to name Foster their third Captain in franchise history on October 22, 2010.

The 2010/11 season would be the last in Toronto as the forward opted to head for pastures new in continuing his career.

Foster’s career with the Toronto Marlies career was comprised of 312 regular-season games in which he contributed 58 goals and 92 assists for 150 points.

Playoff success for the Marlies was a rarity in those five seasons though Foster played his part with thirteen points in 25 games.

After leaving North America, Foster suited up for HC Sparta Praha in the Czech League, Adler Mannheim and Iserlohn Roosters in Germany and Italian club HC Bolzano.

Following recommendations, Foster opted to sign with Elite League club Belfast Giants for the 2016-17 season.

It was not the only reason for signing with the Northern Ireland based team as he studied for a Masters at the Ulster University Business School, taking an education/playing route that many others from North America have done so in the United Kingdom since.

Foster returned to North America the following year in the ECHL, playing for Rapid City Rush and Brampton Beast before finally hanging up his skates for good.

According to his Twitter account, the Michigan native is now a Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams.