71 days until opening night: Captain Nick Foligno

He was the most well-liked player to ever wear the Union Blue.

Nick Foligno was traded to Columbus from the Ottawa Senators on July 1^st, 2012, and that’s where the legendary story begins for him. He had already spent five years in Ottawa, racking up 148 points. It looked like it was the start of a promising career. And then in 2012, the Senators made some changes. They decided they wanted Marc Methot and sent Foligno back in exchange. A lot of people don’t realize that the Senators tried trading for Rick Nash just prior to this trade, but Nash refused to be sent to Ottawa. The Jackets signed Foligno to a three-year deal a few days after the trade.

Foligno’s first couple seasons in Columbus were as expected. He had 19 points in 45 games played in a season that was shortened due to a labor dispute. The following season saw the CBJ make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Foligno would play in 70 games that season, scoring 18 goals and 39 points. But more importantly, he had two goals in the playoffs, one of which is an iconic game-winner inside Nationwide Arena versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. The video below will live on forever in CBJ lore.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV9iXqyCcBs title=[/embed]

The 2014-15 season saw the Jackets destroyed by injuries. But it also saw Nick Foligno have the best year points-wise he would have in his entire career. He played in 79 games, scored 31 goals, and had 42 assists for 73 points. He and Ryan Johansen were the two healthiest players on the team and literally carried them. And what better year for it to happen as Foligno would make the 2015 all-star game, which was held in Columbus. He would also get Byng and Selke votes that year. And would also score his first hat-trick as well. At the end of that season, he was rewarded by being named Captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. A well-deserved honor.

For the next few seasons, Foligno would not be able to replicate his points production from 14-15. But many people argue that he didn’t have to. That season, someone had to score goals and get assists, because there weren’t many guys on the ice that could. The Jackets, to that point, would have one of their worst years in terms of man games lost. But his job was more than just to score goals. He was a protector of his teammates on the ice. Nick would not hesitate to fight, and on more than one occasion would knock guys to the ice with one punch.

The Jackets would go on to make the playoffs for a franchise record four straight seasons, being led by Captain Nick Foligno. Beating the Tampa Bay Lightning should definitely be a line on his resume, as well as beating the Maple Leafs in the bubble in 2020. Who could forget the crazy eyes he gave Steven Stamkos during the historic sweep of Tampa?

Sadly in 2021, Foligno would agree to be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2021 first-round pick. Columbus was headed in a rebuild direction, and this gave Foligno the chance to chase a championship. The Leafs didn’t win that year, and later in July, he would sign with Boston. He played two seasons there, which ended with Foligno being on the receiving end of a historic loss this time. In June of this year, he signed with Chicago, seemingly as protection for top overall pick Connor Bedard.

Captain Nick Foligno currently sits 4^th all-time in games played for Columbus at 599. He’s also 4^th all-time in goals with 170, 3^rd in assists with 192, and 3^rd in points with 334. He’s 7^th all-time in power-play goals with 33 and had no short-handed goals. His 466 PIMs rank 6^th all-time in CBJ history and he has 27 fights for the Jackets, ranking 4^th.

Off the ice, Foligno is just as much of a Captain. He and his wife donated 1 million dollars to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus and Boston Children’s in 2016. Those two hospitals are credited with saving the Foligno daughter’s life, who had heart defects. They also run The Hearts Playbook, a foundation set up by the family to help families with doctors and hospitals to ensure they’re getting the best heart care possible.

Nick Foligno is a legend in Columbus. His stats will not scream Hall of fame, or jersey retirement, but Foligno’s body of work on and off the ice makes him every fan’s favorite player. Future Captains have big shoes to fill.