Michael Anthony Foligno ( ;Detroit Red Wings 1980–81 Facts Book (page 19). Retrieved 1 October 2026. 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

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.Eric Stephens, OC Register reporter, Via Twitter, https://twitter.com/icemancometh/status/16945589561 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 Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1975–76 Sudbury Wolves OMJHL 57 22 14 36 45 16 4 3 7 6 1976–77 Sudbury Wolves OMJHL 66 31 44 75 62 6 3 1 4 7 1977–78 Sudbury Wolves OMJHL 67 47 39 86 112 — — — — — 1978–79 Sudbury Wolves OMJHL 68 65 85 150 98 10 5 5 10 14 1979–80 Detroit Red Wings NHL 80 36 35 71 109 — — — — — 1980–81 Detroit Red Wings NHL 80 28 35 63 210 — — — — — 1981–82 Detroit Red Wings NHL 26 13 13 26 28 — — — — — 1981–82 Buffalo Sabres NHL 56 20 31 51 149 4 2 0 2 9 1982–83 Buffalo Sabres NHL 66 22 25 47 135 10 2 3 5 39 1983–84 Buffalo Sabres NHL 70 32 31 63 151 3 2 1 3 19 1984–85 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 27 29 56 154 5 1 3 4 12 1985–86 Buffalo Sabres NHL 79 41 39 80 168 — — — — — 1986–87 Buffalo Sabres NHL 75 30 29 59 176 — — — — — 1987–88 Buffalo Sabres NHL 74 29 28 57 220 6 3 2 5 31 1988–89 Buffalo Sabres NHL 75 27 22 49 156 5 3 1 4 21 1989–90 Buffalo Sabres NHL 61 15 25 40 99 6 0 1 1 12 1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 31 4 5 9 42 — — — — — 1990–91 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 37 8 7 15 65 — — — — — 1991–92 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 33 6 8 14 50 — — — — — 1992–93 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 55 13 5 18 84 18 2 6 8 42 1993–94 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 4 0 0 0 4 — — — — — 1993–94 Florida Panthers NHL 39 4 5 9 49 — — — — — NHL totals 1,018 355 372 727 2,049 57 15 17 32 185

International Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM 1981 Canada WC 7 2 0 2 8 1986 Canada WC 10 0 5 5 16 1987 Canada WC 10 0 4 4 34 Senior totals 27 2 9 11 58

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

Coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T OTL Pts Finish ResultHER1998–99803732101853rd in Mid-AtlanticLost in first roundHER1999–0080432953942nd in Mid-AtlanticLost in third roundHER2000–0180343943755th in Mid-AtlanticLost in third roundHER2001–02803627116892nd in SouthLost in second roundHER2002–03803627143892nd in SouthLost in first roundSUD2003–0468253265615th in CentralLost in first roundSUD2004–0568322367774th in CentralLost in second roundSUD2005–06683428-6743rd in CentralLost in second roundSUD2006–07682930-9673rd in CentralLost in OHL FinalsSUD2007–08681746-5395th in CentralMissed playoffsSUD2008–09682635-7595th in CentralLost in first roundSUD2009–10682635-7595th 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 together.http://www.dpcdsb.org/NR/rdonlyres/B12B7971.../BdMin08091.pdf

Foligno's sons, Nick and Marcus both play for the Minnesota Wild.

See also List of NHL players with 1,000 games played List of NHL players with 2,000 career penalty minutes

References

External links