Marcus Foligno

Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ice hockey player

Marcus Foligno

Foligno with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016

Born|  (1991-08-10) August 10, 1991 (age 33)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height|  6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight|  226 lb (103 kg; 16 st 2 lb)
Position|  Right Wing
Shoots|  Left
NHL team
Former teams|  Minnesota Wild
Buffalo Sabres
NHL draft|  104th overall, 2009
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career|  2011-present

Marcus Foligno (/fəˈliːnoʊ/; born August 10, 1991) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey winger and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed “Moose,” he was selected 104th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

## Playing career

[edit]

As a youth, Foligno played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Hershey, Pennsylvania.[1]

### Junior

[edit]

Foligno was selected by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Sudbury Wolves in the second round, 39th overall, in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection,[2] the same team that drafted his older brother, Nick. After two seasons with the club, Foligno was selected in the fourth round, 104th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[3] Foligno spent an additional two seasons with the Wolves, with his best coming during the 2010–11 season, in which he recorded 23 goals and 59 points in 47 games.[4]

### Buffalo Sabres

[edit]

Foligno in February 2013.

Foligno agreed to terms on an entry-level professional contract with the Buffalo Sabres on May 25, 2011. He began play with the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in the 2011–12 season.[5][6][7] Foligno was called up to the Sabres on December 19, 2011, and made his NHL debut on December 20, playing against the Ottawa Senators, the team his brother Nick Foligno was playing with at the time. Marcus Foligno's second career start came March 10, 2012, again against his brother and the Ottawa Senators. Foligno scored his first career goal at 14:06 in the third period, which tied the game; Buffalo eventually won the game in a shootout.[8]

Like his brother Nick, Marcus Foligno used their father's "Foligno Leap" as his first career goal celebration. However, on Marcus' first goal, he was unsure he actually scored. As a result, Marcus used the "Leap" on his next goal in Buffalo on March 14, 2012.[9]

Foligno broke the family tradition and did not choose the numbers 17 (worn by his father) or 71 (worn by his brother). Upon being drafted by the Sabres, he elected to wear number 82 (assigned to him at camp) instead of his father's number 17. Foligno was reassigned to the Americans immediately before the 2012–13 NHL lockout. However, this changed once he was traded to the Minnesota Wild, where he chose to wear the number 17.[10]

On June 27, 2016, the Sabres issued a qualifying offer to Foligno.[11] He was signed to a one-year contract on July 14, 2016.[12] In the 2016–17 season, Foligno scored a career-best 13 goals in a checking-line role to match his 23 points from the previous season.[13]

### Minnesota Wild

[edit]

As a restricted free agent, on June 30, 2017, Foligno was traded (along with Tyler Ennis and a third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft) to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Marco Scandella, Jason Pominville and a fourth-round pick in 2018.[14] On September 14, the Wild signed Foligno to a four-year, $11.5 million contract extension worth $2.875 million annually.[15] Foligno was hospitalized on October 12, 2017, after taking a punch to the face from Chicago Blackhawks forward John Hayden during a fight in Minnesota's 5–2 win. According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, he may have suffered a "broken facial bone" as a result of the hit.[16]

On January 12, 2021, Foligno signed a three-year, $9.3 million extension with the Wild.[17]

On September 29, 2023, Foligno signed a four-year, $16 million extension with the Wild.[18]

## International play

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Medal record

Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
| 2011 Canada |

Approaching his final junior season in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves, Foligno was Invited to take part in Canada's 2011 national junior team selection camp for the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Making a positive impression, he was later selected to Canada's roster for the tournament, held in his birthplace of Buffalo, New York. He completed the tournament with two goals and four points in seven games as Canada claimed the silver medal.

## Personal life

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Foligno was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of former NHL player and Buffalo Sabre Mike Foligno and Janis Foligno. Janis died of breast cancer in July 2009.[19][20] Although Marcus was born in the United States, both of his parents are Canadian, making him a dual citizen; Foligno played for Canada in the 2011 World Junior Championship. Marcus is the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno. He also has two sisters, Lisa Foligno-Carey (married to Dan Carey) and Cara Foligno.[20] Cara works in Buffalo, and Lisa works in Peterborough, Ontario.[21] Foligno married Natascia Marcantognini on July 15, 2016 in Sudbury, ON.[22]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### Regular season and playoffs

[edit]

|  | Regular season |  | Playoffs

|
|
|
|

Season | Team  | League  | GP  | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP  | G  | A  | Pts  | PIM
2005–06  | Sudbury Wolves AAA  | NOHA U15 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 31 | 133  | — | — | — | — | —
2006–07  | Sudbury Nickel Capitals AAA  | GNML  | 35 | 23 | 17 | 40 | 74  | 8 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 40
2007–08 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 66 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 38  | — | — | — | — | —
2008–09 | Sudbury Wolves  | OHL  | 65 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 96  | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9
2009–10 | Sudbury Wolves  | OHL  | 67 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 156  | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6
2010–11 | Sudbury Wolves  | OHL  | 47 | 22 | 36 | 59 | 92  | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 24
2011–12 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 60 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 78  | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4
2011–12 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 14 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 9  | — | — | — | — | —
2012–13 | Rochester Americans  | AHL  | 33 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 38  | — | — | — | — | —
2012–13 | Buffalo Sabres  | NHL  | 47 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 41  | — | — | — | — | —
2013–14 | Buffalo Sabres  | NHL  | 74 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 82  | — | — | — | — | —
2014–15 | Buffalo Sabres  | NHL  | 57 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 50  | — | — | — | — | —
2015–16 | Buffalo Sabres  | NHL  | 75 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 79  | — | — | — | — | —
2016–17 | Buffalo Sabres  | NHL  | 80 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 73  | — | — | — | — | —
2017–18 | Minnesota Wild | NHL  | 77 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 72  | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16
2018–19 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 82 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 55  | — | — | — | — | —
2019–20 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 59 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 30  | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5
2020–21 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 39 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 49  | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0
2021–22 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 74 | 23 | 19 | 42 | 112  | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14
2022–23 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 65 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 97  | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35
2023–24 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 55 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 59  | — | — | — | — | —
2024–25 | Minnesota Wild  | NHL  | 77 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 75  | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6
NHL totals  | 875  | 140  | 183  | 323  | 883  | 34  | 5  | 6  | 11  | 76

### International

[edit]

Year  | Team  | Event  | Result  |  | GP  | G  | A  | Pts  | PIM

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2011 | Canada | WJC |  | 7  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 2
Junior totals  | 7  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 2

## Awards and honours

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Award  | Year  |

|
|

OHL
CHL Top Prospects Game | 2009 |
Second All-Star Team  | 2011 |
NHL
Rookie of the Month (March)  | 2012 | [23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
2. ^ "2007 OHL priority selection". Ontario Hockey League. March 14, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
3. ^ "Draft Stories: Marcus Foligno". Buffalo Sabres. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
4. ^ "Marcus Foligno". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
5. ^ "SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH MARCUS FOLIGNO". Buffalo Sabres. May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
6. ^ Vogl, John (May 26, 2011). "Sabres order room service, sign Foligno". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
7. ^ Severins, Lacey. "Will Sabres' Foligno follow his father's path?". WGR. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
8. ^ "Tyler Ennis guides Sabres to SO victory vs. Senators". ESPN. March 10, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
9. ^ Hoppe, Bill (March 15, 2012). "Sabres foil Foligno's leap". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
10. ^ Myers, Dan (December 3, 2018). "A numbers game: Why Wild players wear the digits they do". Minnesota Wild. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
11. ^ Vogl, John (June 27, 2016). "Sabres issue qualifying offers to seven, including Girgensons, Foligno". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
12. ^ "Sabres re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Foligno for 1 year". ESPN. July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
13. ^ Calvin (May 24, 2017). "Sabres report cards: Marcus Foligno". Die by the Blade. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
14. ^ "Wild acquires Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno". Minnesota Wild. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
15. ^ "Wild, Foligno Agree to Terms". Minnesota Wild. September 14, 2017.
16. ^ Price, Satchel (October 13, 2017). "Marcus Foligno injured by John Hayden haymaker during fight". SB Nation.
17. ^ "Wild sign Marcus Foligno to three-year, $9.3M extension". sportsnet.ca. January 12, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
18. ^ "Wild sign forward Marcus Foligno to four-year, $16M contract extension". sportsnet.ca. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
19. ^ "Foligno attends fund raiser honouring late mom". Toronto Sun. February 8, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
20. ^ a b "Who's Who: The Foligno Family". Sudbury Living Magazine. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
21. ^ Marrazza, Dan (September 21, 2016). "Mike Foligno: 5 Fun Facts". Vegas Golden Knights. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
22. ^ "Marcus Foligno shoots and scores beautiful bride Natascia! Wedding Highlights". More Than Common Productions. October 23, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
23. ^ "Foligno named March's rookie of the month". ESPN. April 2, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2013.

## External links

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* Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database