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USHL Madison Capitols

Brookfield's Fosdick Embracing Versatility

May 11, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI- For most expansion franchises, familiarity is something that has to be manufactured in the team's formative months.

The Madison Capitols' 2014-15 season, its first back in the USHL since 1995, did not lack growing pains and learning experiences, but the heavy home-state influence was never far from the spotlight.

One such example was Brookfield's Robby Fosdick, who was one of 13 Wisconsinites to skate for the Capitols in at least one game during the season.

Fosdick entered the USHL following a steady high school tenure with Brookfield Central and Team Wisconsin. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, he skated for Team Wisconsin alongside his future Capitols' teammates Cooper Watson (Appleton), Sam McCormick (De Pere), Jarod Zirbel (Green Bay), and Tony Stillwell (Sheboygan).

The reunion was a very big relief for Fosdick upon his arrival to Madison.

"Walking into the locker room for the first time and seeing Cooper, Tony, and seeing guys I already played with, it really helped," said Fosdick. "You're not feeling those guys out; it's almost like you were part of the family already."

The right-handed defenseman did not have the easiest of campaigns, despite having close friends in the locker room. For the first time in his young career, a substantial injury to his shoulder in late January put him in the press box for well over a month.

Due to injuries to his teammates, Fosdick was also called upon to play forward for the first time in over two years. His versatility and willingness to be flexible in his role on-ice came as his biggest takeaway.

"You don't want to limit yourself," said Fosdick. "You want to be able to do everything on the ice to give yourself the most opportunities to be in the lineup every night."

Even at the tender age of 18, Fosdick is well aware of the changing scope of his own game.

"You're not always going to be a goal scorer or a fourth liner," he said. "You're going to have different roles at different points in your career. It was cool to get the experience of playing both forward and (defense), and rounding out my game."

A smaller element in Fosdick's rounding out was his appointment to the center ice position. He credited Capitols assistant coach and longtime NHL center Tony Hrkac with integrating him to the position, particularly in the face-off dots.

After his whirlwind first season, Fosdick found himself skating up front one final time in the season finale on April 11. The defensive-minded blueliner by trade was still seeking his first USHL tally into the third period of game 60.

It appeared he was going to break through on a two-on-one, but Michael Latorella slid across in the Muskegon net to deny Fosdick. However, the converted center chose not to dart through the crease, but rather, stay put.

After the puck skittered behind the net, Fosdick found the puck on his blade with nothing but net in front of him. At long last, one of the fan favorites had the perfect exclamation point on a memorable rookie year.

"It was so funny to see everyone's face (as I was) going through the line," Fosdick recalled as he celebrated his goal. "Some of the guys were more excited than I was, to be honest. It capped the season off so well; the guys were just going nuts."

With already a month of the offseason gone, the young, energetic defenseman already is having a tough time sitting still.

"For most guys, it's nice to get away for a couple weeks, but I know a lot of guys who are just itching to get back. Regular life, compared to what we did all season long, is just boring; it doesn't compare to what we do during the season. That's what we live for."

With the Capitols' camp for returning players and draft picks looming just a month away, Fosdick is just one of the pile of Wisconsin natives ready to return to Dane County.

"It's easy for me to go up and see the local guys, and we're already talking about getting back."

The Capitols will welcome their eligible returning players and draftees for the main offseason camp from June 14-17 at Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton.

Madison Capitols 2015-16 season tickets and 12-game packages for next season are available now by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com. Fans who pay in full for season tickets by June 1 will receive a specialty season ticket holder jersey. Packages can also be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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