Family always comes before the game — and that’s exactly the case for Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno.
The 37-year-old NHL veteran is taking a step back from the rink this week as his 12-year-old daughter, Milana, prepares for another heart surgery.
The Blackhawks confirmed the news on Wednesday, just hours before their matchup against St. Louis, saying Foligno would be taking a “brief leave of absence” to be with his daughter during her procedure.
The team described it as a follow-up operation related to her ongoing battle with congenital heart disease.
Milana’s Brave Battle With a Lifelong Condition
Milana, who just celebrated her 12th birthday on Tuesday, has faced serious health challenges since infancy.
According to People, she’s already endured two valve-replacement surgeries — the first when she was only a few weeks old.
In 2018, the family faced another terrifying moment when Milana was diagnosed with endocarditis, a dangerous inflammation affecting the heart’s inner lining.
Despite her medical struggles, the young girl has shown incredible resilience, supported every step of the way by her parents, Nick and Janelle, and her two younger brothers, Landon and Hudson.
Foligno’s Focus Turns From Captain to Caregiver
Foligno, who will turn 38 at the end of the month, has always been known as a natural leader — both on and off the ice.
His coach, Jeff Blashill, praised the forward’s leadership and the influence he’s had in the locker room.
“He’s an elite leader and basically an extension of the coaching staff,” Blashill said.
“Now it’s time for the other guys to step up and carry that same energy. It’s like when a player is injured — the next man has to do the job.”
A Storied Hockey Legacy
Nick Foligno was named the 35th captain of the Chicago Blackhawks in September 2024, adding his name to a long line of leaders in the storied Original Six franchise.
Hockey runs deep in the Foligno family — his father, Mike, played 15 seasons in the NHL, while his brother, Marcus, currently plays for the Minnesota Wild.
Since debuting with the Ottawa Senators in 2007, Nick has built an impressive career spanning nearly two decades.
Across 1,237 regular-season games, he’s tallied 247 goals and 352 assists while playing for Ottawa, Columbus, Boston, Toronto, and now Chicago.
Family Over Everything
While Foligno’s absence leaves a leadership gap on the ice, his teammates — and fans across the league — are rallying behind him.
For now, his focus isn’t on scoring goals or leading huddles in the locker room.
It’s on being there for his daughter as she faces yet another battle with courage and strength.
The hockey community is keeping Milana and the entire Foligno family in their thoughts, hoping for a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery.