Goaltender James Foster was born at 172 Saracen Street, in the Possil area of Glasgow, Scotland, on 13th September, 1905.
His father was a Foreman Blacksmith, and the Foster family emigrated to Canada when Jimmy was aged six. He grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He was to earn a reputation as one of the finest goaltenders outside of the National Hockey League with superb statistics and a considerable number of shutouts at both domestic and international level.
Having learnt his hockey in Winnipeg, Foster played for the University of Manitoba before making his name with the Moncton Hawks. As a Hawk in the 1932 Allan Cup finals, he posted the first ever back-to-back clean sheets in the competition and went a staggering 417 minutes without conceding a goal. With Jimmy Foster between the pipes, the Hawks went on to claim the Allan Cup in 1933 and 1934 and in those three seasons, he played all bar one of 220 games.
1935 saw him return to Britain to join the Richmond Hawks where he backstopped them to the runners-up spot in the English National League, although tied on points with winners, Wembley Lions and earned himself an All Star A-team selection. He moved the following season to join the Harringay Greyhounds where he stayed for three seasons including a league title and London Cup victory in 1939 and an All Star B-team award. In his five seasons in British domestic hockey, Jimmy Foster recorded an impressive 24 shutouts.
It was for Great Britain though, that Jimmy Foster showed just how good a ‘keeper he was. In the 1936 Olympic Games, Foster played in all seven games recording four shutouts and conceding just three goals, a vital factor in the squad securing an unexpected gold medal. In total, Jimmy Foster appeared in 31 World Championship games posting an amazing 16 shutouts and as well as the Olympics, he helped Great Britain to the European Championship successes of 1937 & 1938.
Jimmy Foster returned to Canada in 1940 and continued his outstanding ice hockey career with the Glace Bay Miners and Quebec Aces. He died in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 4th January, 1969, aged 63.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris - August 1998
Additional material by David Gordon 2005
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