Mike Foligno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Foligno |
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Foligno in 2012
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| Born | January 29, 1959 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Detroit Red Wings Buffalo Sabres Toronto Maple Leafs Florida Panthers |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 3rd overall, 1979 Detroit Red Wings |
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| Playing career | 1979–1994 | ||
Michael Anthony Foligno (born January 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for fifteen seasons. His career spanned from 1979 to 1994. After retiring from playing, he worked as a scout for the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Mike Foligno's Playing Career
Mike Foligno was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. However, he spent his early childhood in Italy. While living in Italy, he first played soccer as a goalkeeper. When he was 10 years old, his family moved back to Canada. That's when he discovered and started playing ice hockey.
Joining the NHL
Foligno was chosen third overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He played a total of 1018 games in the NHL. During his career, he scored 355 goals and made 372 assists, adding up to 727 points. He also spent 2049 minutes in the penalty box.
His best season for scoring points was the 1985–86 season. He played for the Buffalo Sabres that year. He scored 41 goals and earned 80 points, which were his highest numbers in a single season. On December 23, 1991, while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he broke his foot. This injury caused him to miss most of that season.
The "Foligno Leap"
Mike Foligno is famous for his special celebration after scoring a goal. He would perform a jump, which fans called the "Foligno Leap." Both of his sons, who also became hockey players, have continued this fun tradition. Foligno also had to wear a special helmet throughout his career. This was because a part of his skull, called a fontanel, didn't fully close when he was a baby.
Coaching and Management Roles
After his playing career, Mike Foligno became a coach. He worked as an assistant coach for several NHL teams. These teams included the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils.
He also served as the general manager for the Sudbury Wolves. He was also the head coach for the Wolves. During his time as coach, both of his sons, Nick and Marcus, played for the team. They later went on to play in the NHL themselves. On September 21, 2016, Foligno was hired as a scout for the new Vegas Golden Knights team.
Mike Foligno's Family Life
Mike Foligno was married to Janis. They had four children together.
- Cara is a teacher.
- Lisa Carey played lacrosse in college.
- Nick was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2006. He became captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015. He later played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of his dad's old teams. As of July 2025, he is the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Marcus was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2009. He won a silver medal with Team Canada in the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He joined the Sabres in the 2011–12 season. As of July 2025, he plays for the Minnesota Wild.
Honors and Achievements
In 2004, Mike Foligno was recognized for his contributions to sports. He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates athletes and sports figures from the Buffalo area.
