Nick Foligno is leading Chicago without a "C" on his jersey. Coach Luke Richardson said there no big rush to find a formal successor to Jonathan Toews.
Jonathan Toews was captain of the Chicago Blackhawks from 2008 until he left the team in April 2023. During most of those 14 seasons, he was known as "Captain Serious."
Now the rebuilding Blackhawks don't need a formal captain... seriously. At least not at this moment, coach Luke Richardson said after practice on Friday.
After all, Chicago has Nick Foligno in the fold.
The Blackhawks signed Foligno, their versatile veteran forward and gregarious de facto captain, to a contract for the next two seasons, the team announced before hitting the ice. The deal pays $4.5 million annually.
The 36-year-old Foligno can lead by word and action without a "C" or any letter on his jersey, Richardson said. See video.
Respect for Toews?
In deference to Toews, who's out of hockey, the team said it would have only alternate captains this season. Foligno has been one of them after arriving in a trade from Boston and signing a one-year $4 million contract in June.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson brought Foligno to Chicago to provide leadership and heads-up, hard-nosed play. Foligno, a Columbus Blue Jackets captain for six seasons, has delivered big-time after leaving the deep Bruins where his ice time dwindled to 12:22 per game last season.
In his 17th season, Foligno has averaged 17:32 in Chicago, skating in all situations. Richardson has leaned on him especially heavily when the Blackhawks have tried to protect a lead. Foligno played a team-high 23:03 in a 3-2 win over Colorado on Dec. 19 as Chicago held on late.
Foligno has even kidded about playing so much at his age. But the job suits him.
Broke Finger In Fight Over Hit on Bedard
Foligno challenged and fought Devils defenseman Brendan Smith last Friday in the second period of a 4-2 loss at New Jersey after Smith's open-ice hit fractured rookie Connor Bedard's jaw late in the first. Foligno broke a finger on his left hand in the altercation and has been out since, although he's skating.
On Friday, Richardson said the injury might keep Foligno out "week-to-week."
But the son of former NHLer Mike Foligno and brother of Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno is still making his presence felt. See Richardson's comments in the following video.
Sudbury Connection
Foligno was born on Halloween 1987 in Buffalo, New York while his father played for the Sabres.
Mike Foligno, like Davidson, is from Sudbury, Ontario. After his 15-year-NHL career, Mike Foligno was coach and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League Sudbury Wolves, a junior team both Nick and Marcus played for.
Davidson has credited Mike Foligno with helping launch his hockey management career by letting him work in the Wolves front office.