Nick Foligno is an American professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.
Born on October 31, 1987, in Buffalo, New York, he holds dual American and Canadian heritage through his parents and has represented the United States internationally.
Nicknamed for his energetic presence on the ice, Foligno has built a long NHL career spanning nearly two decades, serving as captain for multiple teams and earning respect for his intangibles, community involvement, and family-oriented values.
In 2026, he joined his younger brother Marcus on the Wild roster after a mid-season trade, fulfilling a rare sibling milestone in the league.
Siblings
Nick’s siblings include his younger brother Marcus Foligno, a longtime winger and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild, as well as two older sisters, Lisa Foligno-Carey and Cara Foligno.
The Foligno family has deep hockey roots, with their father Mike Foligno enjoying a lengthy NHL career before transitioning into coaching and management roles, including with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.
Tragically, the family lost their mother, Janis Foligno, to breast cancer in 2009 after a five-year battle, an event that deeply shaped the brothers’ bond and inspired their ongoing charitable efforts supporting cancer research and awareness through initiatives like the Foligno Face-Off and the Janis Foligno Foundation.
Lisa and Cara, the eldest siblings, were active in sports during their youth, with the family sharing lighthearted stories of the brothers occasionally playing on their sisters’ girls’ hockey team in a high school exhibition game.
In 2026, Nick and Marcus became teammates on the Wild, describing the experience as a dream come true that carries emotional weight as they chase the Stanley Cup together while honoring their late mother’s memory.
Also Read: Ryan McDonagh Siblings: All About Colin and Quinn McDonagh
Career
Foligno’s career began in junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, where he developed under his father’s guidance.
Selected 28th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut in the 2007-08 season and quickly established himself as a reliable power forward.
After several seasons in Ottawa, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012, where he thrived and set career highs with 31 goals and 73 points in 2014-15.
Foligno served as the sixth captain in Blue Jackets history from 2015 to 2021, leading the team to its first playoff series victory in 2019.
He later signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, spent time with the Boston Bruins, and was named the 36th captain in Chicago Blackhawks history in 2024 before being traded to the Minnesota Wild at the 2026 trade deadline for future considerations to reunite with his brother.
Over his career through the 2025-26 season, Foligno has appeared in more than 1,280 regular-season NHL games, recording 251 goals and 361 assists for 612 points, along with significant playoff experience and a reputation for physical play reflected in over 1,000 penalty minutes.
His style emphasizes leadership, forechecking, and mentoring younger players even as he plays into his late 30s.
Accolades
Foligno was selected to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game as captain for the Blue Jackets.
In 2017, he became the first player in NHL history to win both the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded for outstanding humanitarian contributions, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in the same season, highlighting his community work and exemplary leadership qualities.
Foligno has been actively involved in charitable causes, including significant donations to children’s hospitals and ongoing efforts to fight cancer in honor of his mother.
He also served as captain for the Blue Jackets and briefly for the Blackhawks, underscoring his respected status in the locker room.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
