Yahoo Sports 'I Haven't Really Had A Coach That Fully Entrusted Me': Former Edmonton Oilers Forward Warren Foegele Pours Salt In The Wound
EDMONTON -- "A couple of those guys on the ice were asking me why I'm out there."
One man's trash is another man's treasure. While former Edmonton Oilers forward Warren Foegele wasn't considered trash when he played for the Oilers, he wasn't utilized in Edmonton like he has been with the Los Angeles Kings this season.
Foegele is averaging a career-high 15:49 of ice time per game this season. That ice time is paying off massive dividends for the player and team, as he collected 21 points in 35 goals after his three-point night against the Oilers last night.
He's on pace to hit 49 points.
Foegele spoke to the media last night after the Kings' victory. He credits the simple and direct playing style his line has as a major reason for the success they have experienced.
WE ARE SO HAPPY WARREN FOEGELE IS AN LA KING pic.twitter.com/RqVDpr2W6d
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 28, 2024
"We've been using our speed the last couple games," Foegele revealed. "And using our size, and it's just wearing them down and getting pucks to the net."
"It's a pretty simple recipe, but we're sticking to it."
The Kings winger also went out of his way to discuss head coach Jim Hiller and what he has contributed to his success this season.
"I think a big reason for my individual success is from Jimmy giving me that confidence," Foegele said. "And that's by putting me in roles that maybe I hadn't done in the past. It's good to get his trust and just try to build off of that."
Foegele went further and talked about what it meant to him to begin the overtime period on the ice.
"A couple of those guys on the ice were asking me why I'm out there, so I made sure I was going to work hard out there," Foegele revealed. "Jimmy's been crucial for me, giving me that voice of confidence, believing in me."
"I haven't really had a coach that fully entrusted me in my whole time in the league."
Sometimes, it takes a coach who is less familiar with a player to deploy them in a way that plays to their strengths and expands their game. It sounds like Hiller has done that for Foegele in Los Angeles.
Foegele experiencing success with a bitter rival like the Kings is a tough pill for some fans to swallow. On the flip side, at least he is hitting the potential that so many people have seen flashes of before this season.
Treasure indeed.
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