Many NHL teams have started their rookie camps, signalling the official start to hockey season. Most veterans have their professional tryout agreements in hand and are just waiting for training camp to fight for a spot. Jean-Luc Foudy’s name has not been present on PTO lists.
The Avalanche drafted Foudy 75th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he quickly became a highly touted prospect. The high-bar
was extremely difficult for Foudy to clear. Because of the COVID pandemic, the Canadian missed two years of junior development.
Because of the pandemic and the OHL canceling its season, an exception allowed Foudy to play in the AHL. It seemed the forward would achieve success in Colorado. In his first partial season with the Eagles (34 games), Foudy tallied three goals and 11 assists, which earned him an Entry Level Contract. The next season was the big test. Seeing if he could handle a full season in the AHL at 19-years-old. In 65 games, Foudy continued impressing and contributed 28 points.
Then, in the 2022–23 season, things started heading south. Despite making his NHL debut with the Avalanche and playing nine games, Foudy suffered his first injury in three seasons. The then 21-year-old played 46 games for the Eagles, bringing his season total to 55 games. In the 2023–24 season, Foudy fared little worse, with four Avalanche games and 26 Eagles games. The last season he appeared poised to differ. He started the year out hot and then spent time on the injured list, yet he still got in 48 AHL contests but none in the NHL.
Injuries and lack of opportunity may have cost Foudy his career. He was a restricted free agent this past July, and the Avalanche chose not to give him a qualifying offer. As of this writing, no team has offered Foudy a PTO for training camp. Have we seen the end of Jean-Luc Foudy? Did not the Avalanche give him enough of a chance when he was healthy? Whether he gains a PTO still remains uncertain.
