Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
You gotta feel for Nick Foligno, as he can never seem to catch a break and now he’s going to miss time for Chicago indefinitely as he tends to a family emergency.If there was a Hockey Hall of Fame for Unlucky Players, then Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno would be a first-ballot candidate. Whether it’s injuries, or just ending up in the wrong spot at the wrong time; he always gets the short end of things.
That seems to continue even into his 19th year in the NHL unfortunately for him and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nick Foligno To Take Leave To Focus On Family
On Wednesday afternoon it was announced by the Blackhawks that Foligno would be leaving the team indefinitely in order to deal with a personal family matter:
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is taking a brief leave of absence as his daughter undergoes follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease.
Nick, nor the Blackhawks will have any further comment at this time.
The outpouring of love and support from other teams, fans, and representatives from the league show just how beloved Foligno is.
Foligno’s old club the Ottawa Senators also sent their best wishes to the Foligno family.
As mentioned previously, Foligno has had quite the lengthy career as he’s in his 19th year. In 1,237 games played he has 599 points (247 goals, 352 assists) while spending time in Ottawa, Columbus, Toronto, Boston and Chicago.
What Happened To Nick Foligno’s Family?
The captain’s daughter Milana is diagnosed with a heart disease known as Mitral Valve Arcade & Moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation which is a rare disease in which the heart valves shape abnormally, leading to potential severe consequences.
Foligno and his wife Janelle started The Hearts Playbook, a foundation that strives to build better awareness and support for research towards heart disease and help find new advancements in treatment.
They spoke of their foundation with the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast, enabling him a platform to help spread awareness to the cause:
The Hearts Playbook itself is an illustrated children’s book that uses the heart as a symbol of resilience and teaches kids that although they may be struggling, there is always hope.
If you would like to make a donation to The Hearts Playbook Foundation, you may do so on the official website; you are also able to purchase a copy of the book as well.
We here at Hockey Patrol would like to offer our sincere best wishes and prayers to the Foligno family during this time.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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Former Maple Leafs Nick Foligno Steps Away as Family Faces Difficult Time
Best wishes to the Foligno family!