From the Stands
By Paul Osborne, Guelph Tribune
Brandon Foote is in a tough position with the Guelph Storm. He is a solid, veteran goaltender on a youthful team that is thinking more about tomorrow than today. Because of that, he and general manager Mike Kelly talked during the summer and it was determined that Foote would be made available for trade so the Storm could continue to develop 18-year-old Garret Sparks.
The number one guy just a few months ago could be on his way out the door at any time.
“I have no hard feelings of any kind towards the team or the city” said Foote after the team’s 5-1 exhibition win over Brampton on Sunday. “(Mr. Kelly) and I talked throughout the summer about me possibly being traded and I thought it might happen before the season started but I am happy I’m still here. I like living here and look forward to tutoring the young guys.”
It is that amazingly positive outlook that has Kelly offering up second thoughts about trading his overage netminder.
“His attitude has been incredible through all of this” said the GM. “I’d say now its 30% he might be traded before November 1st, 30% he’ll be moved by the trade deadline and 40% he’ll be with us the entire season. He has shown tremendous leadership through all of this.”
It isn’t hard to conjure up an argument that says keeping the overage goaltender is the right thing to do. If Sparks stumbles, turning to a veteran guy to settle things down is a lot better option than trying to right the ship with an unproven 16 or 17-year-old.
Foote isn’t happy about quite possibly losing playing time to Sparks but he isn’t ready to concede it will actually happen yet.
“Anytime you get playing time taken away you’re not going to be happy about it but I’m not going to get upset if we split playing time and besides it is so early in the season you don’t know what will happen with injuries or illness. All you can do is keep a positive attitude…it is all I can control.”
Foote has been the consummate professional since joining the Storm in a trade for Thomas McCollum three years ago. Some nights he’s been “lights out” and others he has struggled for consistency, but every time out he has given his best. Now he’s caught between two eras if you will.
“We had a lot of older guys last year and now we have a young crop coming in” said Foote after playing the first two periods in the Storm’s win over Brampton. “There are only a few older guys left so it is a chance to help guide the young guys along like some older guys did for me. We’re pretty close as a team and getting closer with each game and practice.”
Out of respect for Sparks improvement late last year and the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Sparks this past June, Foote is a little hesitant to say he’ll be mentoring the younger goaler.
“He played well last year and got drafted in the NHL” said Foote. “We are good friends on and off the ice and when he’s playing I’ll support him and if I’m playing I know he’ll support me. Last season there was more mentoring but if he still has questions or wants to talk I’m happy to help him.”
It is that kind of attitude that has impressed the Storm brass. There are a lot of prima donnas in the world of sports; whiners and sulkers who collapse into a world of self pity when things don’t go their way, but don’t put Brandon Foote in the that category. His category is labeled with the word “class”.
From the Land of Oz….Cody McNaughton scored the Storm’s only goal in a 1-1 tie with Barrie Friday night then scored on a penalty shot in the team’s 5-1 win over Brampton. Foote played five of the six periods on the weekend and was outstanding in both games…the Storm hosts Brampton on Friday night.
