USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Defenseman Carter Foguth Relives Three-Year Journey with Muskegon

Published on May 2, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (May 2nd) - "I came to Muskegon three years ago a 17-year old boy and walked away today 21-year old man."

From the day he first stepped on the ice at Invite Camp in 2010 to the recent end of the 2012-13 season in the playoffs, Muskegon Lumberjacks Defenseman Carter Foguth displayed the kind of toughness, grittiness, and passion that the city of Muskegon enjoys out of their hockey players. For three seasons, Foguth made a positive impact to both his team and community with how he presented himself both on and off the ice.

The journey for Foguth started during the Lumberjacks' Invite Camp before their inaugural USHL season would begin in 2010-11, where he received an unexpected e-mail in which he would take great advantage of to eventually land him on the opening night roster.

"I received an e-mail from President (Tim) Taylor to come out to camp, and I honestly didn't know what to expect going into it," said Foguth. "I put forth my best effort on the ice (during camp), and the coaching staff loved what they saw from me in terms of my aggressive, hard-nosed style."

Foguth, the Fenton, Michigan native, explained that his first season with the Lumberjacks was about trying to earn the respect from his teammates along with his fellow USHL peers with Muskegon being one of two new teams in the league along with Dubuque.

"Anytime that you join a new league, you have to earn everyone's respect and admiration whether it be your own teammates or other teams in the USHL," explained Foguth. "Being one of the younger players on the Lumberjacks at the time, I had to earn my teammate's respect by being a team player while trying to establish myself in the league at the same time."

Over the course of three seasons, Foguth established himself as one of the premiere stay-at-home defensemen in the league in which he credits his coaching staff to helping him further grow and develop his game.

"I learned a lot from coach (Jim) McKenzie due to his vast knowledge of the game along with spending numerous seasons in the National Hockey League," said Foguth. "He and coach (Ron) Gay really helped develop my game in terms of making more plays and being more assertive on both sides of the puck."

Also, Foguth states that it didn't hurt to have a future NHL-caliber player as his defensive partner in Florida Panthers prospect Rasmus Bengtsson.

"Playing alongside Rasmus (Bengtsson) this season was a blessing in disguise because he took what he learned at the San Antonio Rampage Camp and the World Junior Championship and passed it along to me to help make me into a better defenseman," said Foguth.

Carter's development into one of the top defensemen on the Lumberjacks roster was due in part by his determination on the ice while also being the best influence off the ice.

"When I began with the Lumberjacks, I was fighting just to remain one of the top eight defensemen on the roster," said Foguth. "As the seasons went along, I never gave up and continued to get better to become the best hockey player I could be on the ice along with continuing to be a positive influence to others off it with my schoolwork."

Going into the 2012-13 season, Foguth's hard work and dedication continued to pay dividends as he was chosen by his teammates to be the captain of the team which he says was an honor and privilege to wear the "C" during game day.

"Just knowing that I had all of the support and respect from my teammates to be chosen as the captain really meant a lot to me," said Foguth. "It was an honor to lead the guys out of the tunnel every game night."

Like any hockey player, Foguth had to battle through some bumps and bruises during his stay in Muskegon and was worried that it would hamper his chances in playing hockey at the collegiate level.

"Like any other sport, injures can occur, and at the beginning of this past season, it had crossed my mind at times that it was my last year (in the USHL) and I didn't have a college commitment," Foguth stated.

However, that all changed this past October when the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks out of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) came calling to voice their interest in having him play for their team at the next level.

"I was pleasantly surprised to get the call, and I immediately went out there, took a tour of the campus, met the coaching staff, and was blown away by what they had to offer," said Foguth.

Foguth says that the Mavericks' hockey program resembles the Lumberjacks organization along with how he approaches the game of hockey.

"Minnesota State (Mankato) is an up-and-coming program that possesses the kind of hockey that I enjoy playing," said Foguth. "They are on the verge of achieving great things in the college hockey world and love to embrace the underdog role as much as I do. I believe that I will fit-in just fine out there."

When all is said and done, Foguth says that he was humble and grateful for the opportunity to don the Lumberjacks sweater for three years and wouldn't change it for the world. The future Maverick says that it's all about taking advantage of what's given to you and enjoying the ride.

"It has been a long journey, but I wouldn't have done this without the support and guidance from Mr. (Josh) Mervis and the rest of the organization for sticking by me," said Foguth. "It's all about making the most of the opportunities presented to you and fighting for what you believe in. It's been a fun three years."

The United States Hockey League puts a lot of pride and dedication into developing their young talent on and off the ice, and Carter Foguth has been no exception in his three years with the Lumberjacks. A tireless worker in the weight room that puts in countless hours on the ice and in the classroom, Foguth has displayed patience and poise to get to where he is today. You know what they say, "Good things come to those who wait."

The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud members of the United States Hockey League, the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league and the leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The Lumberjacks' organization prides itself on developing not just premier hockey talent, but also exceptional young men outside the arena of sports. For more information, visit www.muskegonlumberjacks.com .

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