Mike Foligno was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 15 seasons. He was born on January 29, 1959, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Foligno began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sudbury Wolves in 1975. He played for the Wolves for four seasons and was known for his physical play and scoring ability.
In 1979, Foligno was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1979-80 season and played for the Red Wings for five seasons. During his time in Detroit, Foligno established himself as a reliable scorer and a tough player. He scored 30 goals in the 1983-84 season, which was a career-high for him.
In 1984, Foligno was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he played for six seasons. He was named the team captain in 1989 and played a key role in the Sabres' success during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Foligno was known for his leadership and his ability to score clutch goals. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 1991 Adams Division Semifinals against the Boston Bruins, which is considered one of the greatest moments in Sabres' history.
After his time in Buffalo, Foligno played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Anaheim Ducks. He retired from the NHL in 1994 after playing in 1,018 games and scoring 355 goals and 372 assists for a total of 727 points. Foligno was known for his physical play, his scoring ability, and his leadership on and off the ice.
After his playing career, Foligno became a coach and worked with several teams in the OHL and the NHL. He was an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche when they won the Stanley Cup in 1996. Foligno also worked as a head coach for the Sudbury Wolves and the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Foligno's son, Nick Foligno, also became a professional hockey player and currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. Mike Foligno's legacy as a player and a coach has had a significant impact on the sport of hockey. He was known for his toughness, his scoring ability, and his leadership, and he will always be remembered as one of the greats of the game.
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