Michael Anthony Foligno (/fəˈliːnoʊ/; born January 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League for fifteen seasons from 1979–80 until 1993–94. He was a scout for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Playing career

1980s photo of Foligno for Buffalo Sabres

Foligno was born in Sudbury, Ontario, but spent his early years in Italy where he took up the sport of soccer, participating as a goalkeeper. When Foligno returned to Canada with his family at the age of 10, he was introduced to hockey.

Foligno was drafted 3rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL entry draft. He played 1018 career NHL games, scoring 355 goals and 372 assists for 727 points, while adding 2049 penalty minutes. His best offensive season was the 1985–86 season with the Buffalo Sabres, when he scored 41 goals and 80 points, both career highs. On December 23, 1991, while with the Maple Leafs, he broke his foot while playing against Winnipeg, causing him to miss a majority of the season.

Foligno is perhaps best known for his trademark jump, dubbed the "Foligno Leap", after scoring a goal. Both of his two sons have carried on the tradition of the Foligno Leap. Foligno is also known for the custom helmet he was required to wear throughout his career due to his fontanel not fully developing.

Coaching and management career

Foligno has worked as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils. He was previously the general manager of the Sudbury Wolves, and was also the head coach of the club, including the time when both of his sons, Nick and Marcus, played prior to playing in the NHL.

On September 21, 2016, it was announced that Foligno was hired as a scout for the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

Transactions

December 2, 1981: Traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with Dale McCourt and Brent Peterson in exchange for Danny Gare, Jim Schoenfeld and Derek Smith. December 17, 1990: Traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Buffalo's 8th round pick in the 1991 Draft (Tomas Kucharcik) in exchange for Brian Curran and Lou Franceschetti. November 5, 1993: Traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for cash.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1975–76Sudbury WolvesOMJHL5722143645164376
1976–77Sudbury WolvesOMJHL663144756263147
1977–78Sudbury WolvesOMJHL67473986112
1978–79Sudbury WolvesOMJHL6865851509810551014
1979–80Detroit Red WingsNHL80363571109
1980–81Detroit Red WingsNHL80283563210
1981–82Detroit Red WingsNHL2613132628
1981–82Buffalo SabresNHL5620315114942029
1982–83Buffalo SabresNHL662225471351023539
1983–84Buffalo SabresNHL70323163151321319
1984–85Buffalo SabresNHL77272956154513412
1985–86Buffalo SabresNHL79413980168
1986–87Buffalo SabresNHL75302959176
1987–88Buffalo SabresNHL74292857220632531
1988–89Buffalo SabresNHL75272249156531421
1989–90Buffalo SabresNHL6115254099601112
1990–91Buffalo SabresNHL3145942
1990–91Toronto Maple LeafsNHL37871565
1991–92Toronto Maple LeafsNHL33681450
1992–93Toronto Maple LeafsNHL5513518841826842
1993–94Toronto Maple LeafsNHL40004
1993–94Florida PanthersNHL3945949
NHL totals1,0183553727272,04957151732185

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
1981CanadaWC72028
1986CanadaWC1005516
1987CanadaWC1004434
Senior totals27291158

Honors

Foligno was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GWLTOTLPtsFinishResult
HER1998–99803732101853rd in Mid-AtlanticLost in first round
HER1999–0080432953942nd in Mid-AtlanticLost in third round
HER2000–0180343943755th in Mid-AtlanticLost in third round
HER2001–02803627116892nd in SouthLost in second round
HER2002–03803627143892nd in SouthLost in first round
SUD2003–0468253265615th in CentralLost in first round
SUD2004–0568322367774th in CentralLost in second round
SUD2005–06683428-6743rd in CentralLost in second round
SUD2006–07682930-9673rd in CentralLost in OHL Finals
SUD2007–08681746-5395th in CentralMissed playoffs
SUD2008–09682635-7595th in CentralLost in first round
SUD2009–10682635-7595th in CentralLost in first round

Personal life

Foligno was married to wife Janis until her death in 2009 during his time as coach in Sudbury. They have four children:

See also

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or
Preceded byWillie HuberDetroit Red Wings first-round draft pick 1979Succeeded byMike Blaisdell
Preceded byLindy RuffBuffalo Sabres captain 198990Succeeded byMike Ramsey