Fashion Lighting Player Spotlight—Nolan Forster

“Guelph was the team I watched growing up so it’s a dream come true for me.”

Drafted by Guelph in the eighth round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, eight-teen year old Nolan Forster has yet to skate in front of Storm City after his rookie season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021-22 season will be Nolan’s first time playing at the OHL level despite it technically being his second season in the league.

When Forster finally arrives in Storm City there will be a few familiar faces as he’s previously played with current Guelph players Danny Zhilkin, Cooper Walker, and Ben McFarlane.

Video: Forster responds to questions about his upcoming season with the Storm.

The Cambridge, Ont., native is the product of both the GOJHL and GTHL after most recently playing for the Toronto Marlboros AAA in 2018-19 and Cambridge RedHawks Jr. B in 2019-20.

During his minor midget AAA season with the Toronto Marlboros, the five-foot-ten forward registered 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) over 72 games. When the Marlboros advanced to the 2018-19 OHL Cup, Forster added four points to his record (one goal, three assists) in the team’s five games played.

The following year, Forster joined the Jr. B Cambridge RedHawks where he produced an impressive 58 points (14 goals, 44 assists) over 47 games. He finished second in team scoring and added another eight assists to his name during the playoffs. Forster’s ability to get the puck to the net earned him top spot on the 2019-20 GOJHL Midwestern all-Rookie Team roster and an invite to participate in the GOJHL’s Future Stars Games.

 

Where it all began

Nolan is the first in his household to play hockey as neither of his parents took up the sport. He was first introduced to the game when his father’s friends would come over to his house to watch Toronto Maple Leaf games. Considering that his father rooted for the Blue and White, it was only natural that Forester inherited a love for the Maple Leafs too.

Learning how to skate at the age of four, Nolan thanks his mom for teaching him the basics. Despite not having any hockey experience, Nolan’s mother was knowledgeable on edgework and speed as she was an experienced figure skater.

“In the beginning my mom was the only one that knew how to skate in the family. So, she would take me and that’s where I found my love for the game and my love for just being on the ice,” said Forster.

Playing for the Cambridge Hawks until major Bantam, Forster made the jump to the GTHL Toronto Marlboros at 15-years-old. Committed to taking hockey seriously, Nolan and his family packed up and moved to Mississauga, so he’d have easier access to his new team.

 

Finding His Confidence

The forward describes himself as a fast and hardworking player with exceptional IQ for the game. But Forster admits that an area he has struggled with has been in his confidence as a player.

“What I work on the most is probably my confidence in my ability because with the Marlies I think I kind of lost it in terms of an offensive role,” said Forster. “But last year when I played Jr. B in Cambridge, I gained that back and started racking up the points— and with that came my confidence in being able to show what I can do.”

When he played for Marlboros Forster was coached by NHL Hall of Famer, Paul Coffey. Acknowledging that he had high expectations to meet and a new roll to fill, Forster knew that hard work lied ahead.

“The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far in my hockey career was going down to the GTHL in my minor midget year because I went to the best team at the time—the Toronto Marlboros—so it was pretty difficult for me as a first-year guy to come from a small town like Cambridge and have a role to impact the team,” said Forster. “But I think I overcame it pretty well and I think that was the best decision I’ve made in my hockey career to go down there and play for a coach who’s a pretty big deal in the hockey world. I also got the chance to overcome being in the shadows of all the big players that have been in the show for a while.”

Over the summer months Forster always strives to stay active and on the ice. In the past he’s attended Speed in Toronto where he’s worked on his edgework and quick skills.

“It’s been good for what I need personally. Like becoming a more developed and better player all-around,” said Forster. “I went to Speed a few times with the Marlies and I did it before I went to the RedHawks. I ended up seeing a big jump in my confidence and in my game with the puck.”

 

Draft Day 2020

At the time of the 2020 OHL Draft, Nolan was at-home in Mississauga playing video games as he was focused on keeping his mind preoccupied. However, the moment Guelph called his name, Forster’s phone began to go off—singling good news.

Nolan’s former minor midget teammate and current Guelph Storm forward, Danny Zhilkin was the first to reach out to congratulate him. Over Facetime, Zhilkin and Forster shared their excitement with one another while Nolan’s mom couldn’t help but cry tears of happiness.

“She was so happy that I went to Guelph,” commented Forster. “It’s such a great city and great organization that overall happiness is the only way I can really describe it.”

 

Off the Ice with Forster

In addition to hockey Forster enjoys playing basketball and golf. The multi-sport athlete played basketball throughout high school where he was awarded MVP in grade nine. And ever since the pandemic, Nolan’s participation in golf has increased as it’s been away for him to keep his mental health in check. Forster prioritizes taking care of his mental health because he knows that for him to play at his top performance level, he has to be in the right headspace.

In terms of education, Nolan is interested in following his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in real estate. He plans to go to school for business and would love the opportunity to get his education in Guelph.

If you were to ask Forster about his concert experience you might be surprised with his answer. At eight years old, Nolan attended Justin Bieber’s World Tour in London, Ont., and to this day has no regrets. Forster’s still a Belieber with his favourite song being “Unstable” off the singer’s latest album.

 

Looking Forward

With the Ontario Hockey League announcing an anticipated 2021-22 season start date of Oct. 7, Nolan’s fired up to finally share with Storm City his speed, skill and refurbished confidence. Forster’s determined to create his own legacy in Guelph and eager to make memories alongside his teammates.

“It’s definitely a hard-working role coming in as a rookie, but I’m kind of going to mirror my game off Benny [Ben McFarlane],” said Forster. “Like, just go out there, work hard, throw some hits around and try to be a good room guy as well by keeping everyone’s confidence levels up. But I also want to show what I can do because I know I can contribute to the team and I just got to go out and prove that.”

Next season Storm fans can expect a lot of passing from number 20. The forward ensures that he’ll use every second he has in the league to make the most positive impact that he can.

“I like sharing the puck and I think of myself more as an assist man,” said Forster. “Obviously if the opportunity to score is there, I’ll take it, but I’m a fast, hardworking player who wants to share the puck with my teammates.” 

 

Words of Advice

If Nolan could give advice to a player pursuing a professional hockey career like himself, he would say:

“Being a late round pick like I was, I say just stick to it and go with your gut. Don’t let anyone bring you down and just keep working hard every summer because you never know what can happen in the hockey world. It’s important to put yourself in a good position on a team to have confidence and to be able to grow as a player each and every year.”