A pending Calgary Flames restricted free agent will be leaving the organization. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting – and we’ve since confirmed – that forward Spencer Foo has signed with Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League.
Interesting story: Spencer Foo, who played at AHL Stockton (and four games for the Flames), is going to KHL Kunlun Red Star. With that: a chance to play for China in the 2022 Olympics.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 11, 2019
His KHL contract is a two-year deal that runs hrough the 2020-21 season. For the curious, Kunlun plays out of Beijing, China.
Foo, 25, signed with the Flames two summers ago after a bidding war – choosing Calgary over his hometown Edmonton Oilers. He had an impressive first pro season in the American Hockey League, putting up 20 goals and 39 points for the Stockton Heat and earning a late season call-up to the Flames. He had two goals in four NHL games to close out 2017-18 and seemed primed to make a push for a roster spot in 2018-19.
Unfortunately, Foo never really found himself on the big club’s radar this past season. The signing of Austin Czarnik seemed to take up the spot Foo was destined for. While he had another pretty solid AHL season with 17 goals and 38 points, he never really put himself in a situation where he forced himself into the NHL conversation.
The signing likely spells the end of Foo’s time with the Flames organization. He’ll be 27 when his KHL deal expires, which would allow him to walk right into NHL free agency. The Flames can give him a qualifying offer on June 25 to retain his NHL rights for a year, but it wouldn’t impact his free agency status in two years.
This move doesn’t say much about the level of talent in the KHL….
Was at the Saddledome when he scored, and the crowd chanted his name, now he goes the way of promising players to never be, joining the likes of Baerstchi (traded), Rico Fata (never really succeeded), and Kris Chucko
Kris Chucko – wow what a memory. I’d forgotten all about him.
I think the KHL will be good for him. Guys like Nigel Dawes, Dustin Boyd and more recently Linden Vey have done quite well in the KHL. Hope he enjoys the adventure and can establish himself there.
Good luck.
Good Bye and Good Luck. We hardly got to know ye!
This is why I don’t get excited about NCAA free agents anymore. I wish him luck though, hope the KHL works out for him.
Scouting always said Foo’s “ceiling”, at best, was a 3rd line wing. I was never overly excited, by Foo.
Not surprised
He was a gamble that unfortunately didn’t pay off. It also didn’t cost us a damn thing.
At least we’ll always be able to look back and brag that he chose the Flames over the Oilers (though hes probably regretting that decision now).
Bye bye…
You know the tone of my voice…
Buh bye?
Yes. What part did you not understand- the “buh” or the “bye”?
There was talk during the China trip in September that Foo was attractive to and could be a fit for the Red Stars.
I was disappointed to see him drop off the roster this past fall. I wish Spencer Good Fortune in Beijing.
Farewell Spencer. I was a foo to think you would crack the roster someday…..
Hogstrom, Ollas-Mattsson, Mike McMurtry, and now Foo all not returning to the Heat. More to come….
Too bad about Ollas-Mattsson. Was pulling for that guy.
Me too. Unfortunately, nobody else who matters was pulling for him to stay. Lookin’ at you, Mr Finest! 😉
Um…..I have written numerous times that AOM needed to be signed, including in my season recap.
Poor skater
Indeed. Wonder what he’ll do on the bigger ice. They do play on Olympic-sized rinks over there, don’t they?
For the brief time he spent with the big club, he impressed me with his desire, speed, yes he could skate, and his accurate shot. One questions whether our Management and Assistants were too focused on potential
Acquisitions and looking good, rather than giving this man the opportunity
to play. This is a shame as I thought he was well regarded by his team mates. Good luck in Beijing Spencer. Take a proper breathing apparatus as the air quality is brutal.
Coming in as a 23 year old with one good college season, Foo was always going to have to blow the doors down in the AHL to get a shot. Better performers got the call first, and you can’t really argue with that.