Feature Photo: Blackhawks.com

Although he wasn’t the one who planned the surprise, Nick Foligno couldn’t have scripted it any better for himself.

Last Thursday was full of surprises for Foligno, one of which included the Blackhawks announcing that the 36-year-old forward was selected as the 35th captain in Blackhawks franchise history.

If that wasn’t reason enough to celebrate – and it most certainly was for Foligno – having his children, Milana, Landon and Hudson, present him with his No. 17 jersey emblazoned with the ‘C’ for the very first time, made it one of the most treasured moments in his hockey career.

“It was unbelievably special,” Foligno told NHLPA.com. “My wife [Janelle] knew before me – I can’t believe she was able to keep that secret from me.

“What a beautiful way to present it. There would be no career without the backbone of my family, who inspire and motivate me. Everyone knows how much my family means to me, so having my kids be there and do that – I think it meant more to me than they realized.”

Foligno, a popular figure throughout the league, would say the same about his captaincy.

“Honestly, being a captain of an Original Six team is a ‘pinch me’ moment. I understand my role here and I am grateful to be in that position.

“When I woke up the next morning, I thought, ‘what an incredible honour they have bestowed upon me.’ I am so humbled.”

Originally selected by the Ottawa Senators 28th overall at the 2006 NHL Draft, the Buffalo, New York, native has recorded 562 points in 1,155 regular-season NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and the Blackhawks.

Among all active American-born players, Foligno ranks fourth in games played, ninth in points (562) and 10th in assists (330).

He previously served as captain of the Blue Jackets for six seasons from 2015 to 2021, leading the team to four straight playoff berths from 2017 to 2020.

The 17-season NHL veteran, whose father, Mike, played 15 seasons in the NHL, and whose brother, Marcus, plays for the Minnesota Wild, is entering his second season with the Blackhawks.

“I was very fortunate to learn from great players when I started out in Ottawa,” said Foligno, who in 2017 won both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. “That carried through to my time in Columbus and on from there.”

Just as it did over his two seasons in Boston.

“You learn so much from every stop, whether it’s a short or long time. I learned a lot in Boston when I got to play with Patrice Bergeron, one of the best leaders in the game.

“Over time, you emulate a lot of what you learned from those types of leaders and put those bits and pieces into your own style.”  

Being authentic is the cornerstone of Foligno’s leadership approach.

“It’s all about being as natural and organic as possible. If you try to be someone you are not, or only do something someone else does, it doesn’t come out as true. You have to be genuine.

“One thing I have learned over all my stops is that when you look out for what is best for the team, it is amazing how that resonates with everyone – whatever is best for the group benefits everybody.”   

For Foligno, that means seeing his teammates as family.

“That is what you want to create within the room, a close-knit group that is like family. It makes everyone take ownership of the roles and the care that goes into that. When you care about one another, there is much more emphasis on the job you do and putting your teammates in a great spot. It’s about everyone pulling the same way. I’m very lucky to have some great guys to lean on in that room.

“It’s also about looking after your teammates off the ice. It’s amazing what comes out of having that environment. That is the beautiful part of what we are trying to create in Chicago. We have the right people in place to do that.”

Led by one of the game’s most respected veterans.

While the goal is to find success in the present, Foligno is also focused on establishing a blueprint for prosperity in the years to come in Chicago.

“I am very excited to really help lay the groundwork and build a solid foundation for the next generation of players who are coming through here to have years of success.”

Chicago’s new captain is up for the challenge.

“I understand where I am in my career, and I am confident that I can produce and help the team win now.

“One day, I can hopefully look back with a smile on my face and see some of the guys in this room take on a leadership role – that would mean the world to me.”