Former Red Wings Forward Foster Dead at 67

Kris Draper may be the most famous $1 purchase in the history of the Detroit Red Wings, but he isn’t the only one.

Dwight Foster, who died Monday at the age of 67, was also a dollar-store bargain.

That was the price the Red Wings were paying to the New Jersey Devils when they were acquiring the veteran right-winger on Oct. 29, 1982.

The Detroit Red Wings are saddened to learn of the passing of Dwight Foster, a former player who recorded 110 points in 215 games played with the #RedWings from 1982-1986.

Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8tiH4xIVql

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 6, 2025

“I’m not glad that that’s all they wanted in return,” Foster said of the deal to the New York Daily News in 1982. “But it did take a lot of pressure off of me.”

The Devils, in their previous life as the Colorado Rockies, had signed Foster as a UFA from the Boston Bruins in the summer of 1981. Boston’s first-round draft pick in 1977, Foster was coming off a season in which he was posting career highs in goals (18) and points (40).

“I had played under a lot of pressure when they made that deal with Boston to sign me,” Foster explained at the time. “Now I am just happy to be with Detroit.”

He wound up playing four seasons with the Red Wings. Foster would scored 14 goals in 1982-83 and 13 goals in 1984-85. Known as a determined checker, he was receiving votes for the Selke Trophy in both 1983-84 and 1984-85.

Foster, Woods Were Red Wings Linemates

The Red Wings were reporting news of Foster’s death via the club’s social media sites. He would settle in the Detroit suburbs following his playing days and was a regular participant with the Red Wings Alumni. Foster’s son Alex also played in the NHL. Alex Foster suited up for three games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007-08. Today he is a partner in a mortage company based in Oakland County, Mich.

You'll see goals from Mike Foligno, Tiger Williams, Dwight "Don't call me Greg" Foster, Lindy Ruff and Craig Ramsay in these highlights from last night's 6-4 Sabres win over the Red Wings: pic.twitter.com/kpwR0m0XVK

— 1985 Oilers Day by Day (@OilersDayByDay) October 15, 2024

Among his Red Wings highlights, Dwight Foster would score a penalty shot goal against St. Louis Blues netminder Rick Wamsley during a 5-5 tie on Feb. 7, 1985. He was the first Detroit player to score on a penalty shot since Mike Foligno on Jan. 30, 1980.

The penalty-shot opportunity was a new experience for Foster.

“I expected the referee to give me some instructions,” he recalled to Associated Press.

His linemates with Detroit were including current Red Wings radio analyst Paul Woods. Dwight Foster would play with the Red Wings until 1986, when he was dealt back to his original team, the Bruins. Foster was going to Boston in exchange for Dave Donnelly.