Foligno brothers savoring first simultaneous postseason
ST. PAUL, MINN. » Nick Foligno sent the text message on Sunday to his family members , promising an enjoyable evening of experiencing and watching the NHL playoffs.
“This is going to be a big night for the Folignos,” he tapped out on his smartphone.
Make it a big week, actually. For the first time in the seven years they’ve been in the league together, both Foligno brothers are skating in the postseason. Marcus Foligno is getting his first taste, with the Minnesota Wild. Nick Foligno has returned for a third appearance with the Columbus Blue Jackets and his sixth overall.
Their even-more-famous father, Mike Foligno, is having a blast as the unpaid consultant, proud pop and unabashed fan.
“He’s got no voice. He was yelling at the TV last night,” Marcus said Monday, the day after he scored for the Wild in their win over Winnipeg in Game 3. “With him playing, I think he still gets that energy, gets that adrenaline pumping, when he sees us play.”
Mike scored 247 times over 15 seasons in the NHL, making his mark during a full decade with Buffalo when he celebrated goals with a signature two-legged leap straight up in the air from the ice . Marcus started his career there, too, in 2011 before the Sabres traded him to Minnesota last summer . Nick debuted in 2007 with the Ottawa Senators until being dealt to Columbus in 2012.
“We’re trying to do something special here as a family,” Nick said after the Blue Jackets beat Washington in Game 2, “and it’s been pretty cool.”
They’re dearly missing a critical member of the clan.
Janis Foligno, the mother to Nick and Marcus and their two sisters, died in 2009 of breast cancer. The boys have kept her memory alive through their performance on the ice and their philanthropy off it, with a foundation in her name created to fight the disease and support cancer victims. Nick and his wife also donated $1 million to children’s hospitals in Columbus and Boston, where their now-4-yearold daughter had a congenital heart defect repaired.
So they play on for a greater purpose, with Mike keeping a keen eye on the boys.
“There are always things to do better. He sees it. He watches the game. He scouted for a long time, and he coached for a long time in the league,” Marcus said. “He just knows how we’re capable of playing, and that’s the biggest thing. He wants us to be the best players out there and be the best role players for our team.”