Nick Foligno [pronounced Fo-lee-no] (born October 31, 1987 in Buffalo, New York) is a professional ice hockey player with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was chosen in the first round, 28th overall by the club in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. His father, Mike Foligno, also played in the NHL.

[edit] Playing career

Nick Foligno played for the US National Under-18 team in 2003–04 before joining the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, a team coached by his father, Mike Foligno. Nick played three seasons for Sudbury before turning professional in 2007. Foligno showed steady improvement throughout his junior career, and in his final OHL season he contributed 88 points in only 66 games.

On March 21, 2007, Senators' general manager John Muckler announced the club had agreed to terms on an entry level contract with Foligno, and he split the 2007–08 season between Ottawa and their AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He played his first NHL regular-season game on October 1, 2007.^[1] He is known for an outstanding work ethic and gritty style of play, combined with some offensive flair.^[2] "He plays like his dad, I’ll tell you that," said former Senators' general manager John Muckler. "He’s a gritty player. He has a little bit of sandpaper to him".^[3]

[edit] Personal

Born in the United States to Canadian parents, Foligno has dual citizenship. At the time of his birth, his father played for the Buffalo Sabres, and the family resided in the Buffalo area.

In the off-season, Foligno is an avid soccer player, playing adult soccer in Sudbury. Foligno's goal song at Scotiabank Place is "Jump" by Van Halen^{[citation needed]}. However, if he happens to score a goal on a Saturday night they will play "Sudbury Saturday Night" by Stompin Tom Connors^{[citation needed]} because he played his junior hockey in Sudbury.

His younger brother Marcus was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa's northeast division rival, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

In the 2008-2009 offseason, Foligno lost his mother to breast cancer.

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Foligno NHL Profile
• Foligno player profile at Hockeysfuture.com
• Nick Foligno's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database