Foligno Returns to Blackhawks After Supporting Daughter: Details and Reactions

Nick Foligno Returns to the Blackhawks After a Period of Absence for Family Reasons

Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno has rejoined the team after an absence to be with his daughter, who underwent follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart condition. Foligno reported that Milana, who turned 12 last week, is at home and in good health. She described the previous week as “very stressful”.

I think we find a lot of comfort in the support of the hockey community and the fans, former teammates, and my second family here. It’s amazing how everyone comes together to send you a lot of support, love, and prayers when you’re going through a difficult time, and our family felt that.

Nick Foligno

Foligno expressed his gratitude to the doctors and staff at Boston Children’s Hospital and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. “We were able to take her quickly and get ahead of what could have been much worse,” he stated. The player, who will turn 38 on October 31, is in his third season with Chicago. He missed three games during his absence: an 8-3 victory in St. Louis, a 3-2 shootout loss against Vancouver, and a 2-1 overtime victory against Anaheim. In four games this season, the forward has not scored any goals and has two assists.

He’s our leader, so you want that presence in your locker room. I think he brings good energy, so I think it was great to have him back. Great that, considering the situation, everything went very well.

Jeff Blashill, coach

Foligno was named the 35th captain of the Blackhawks in September 2024. His father, Mike, played in the NHL for 15 years, and his brother, Marcus, plays for Minnesota. Nick Foligno debuted in the league with the Ottawa Senators in 2007. He has 247 goals and 352 assists in 1,237 regular season games, and also played for Columbus, Boston and Toronto. Foligno has two sons, Landon and Hudson, with his wife, Janelle. Milana is “probably the one who gives us the most strength, with the way she has handled this adversity,” Foligno said. “It’s impressive for a 12-year-old girl to handle it head-on.”