Introduction to Nick Foligno’s Return
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno’s 12-year-old daughter, Milana, is home and recovering from the emergency heart surgery she underwent last Thursday in Boston. In a month laden with positive news and trends for the Hawks, that announcement by Foligno on Monday marked the best news yet.
The Emotional Return of Nick Foligno
The 37-year-old captain returned at Hawks practice himself — after missing three games during his leave of absence — and the emotion was unmistakable in his voice afterward as he talked about the experience. “It’s been obviously very stressful, but we found a lot of comfort in the support of the hockey community, fans, old teammates and my second family here [with the Hawks],” Foligno said. “It’s amazing how, when you go through a hard time, everyone bands together to send you a ton of support and love and prayers, and it was felt by our family. We appreciate it so much.”
Milana Foligno’s Health Journey
Milana Foligno was born in 2013 with congenital heart defects. She underwent an experimental yet successful surgery as an infant to replace her mitral valve, then underwent another valve-replacement surgery in 2018. She had been in stable health in recent years, but as Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson — who also has a congenital heart defect — knows well, critical issues can appear out of nowhere at any time.
Gratitude and Awareness
Foligno thanked the surgeons and nurses at both Boston Children’s Hospital and Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for their care this week, as they helped avoid an outcome that “could’ve been probably a lot worse.” He and his wife, Janelle, run a foundation called The Heart’s Playbook that raises awareness and funds research for children with heart defects. They’ve had a longstanding relationship with BCH, making donations and funding fellowships. “This isn’t unique to us,” Foligno said. “If anything, it’s given us a higher calling. Because if you go back there, it’s a constant reminder of the fight that so many families have. We’re going to continue to do our part in making sure we bring awareness to congenital heart defects, knowing that Milana is one of many stories that are still out there.”
Support from the Team
Milana and her two brothers, Landon and Hudson, have made frequent appearances at Hawks practices during the last few years. And a group of young Hawks players — including Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, Wyatt Kaiser and Landon Slaggert — got to know them even better when they visited Foligno at his family home in Sudbury, Ontario, for a week this past summer. The Hawks dedicated their game last Wednesday to Milana, then went out and whipped the Blues 8-3 with her motivation behind them. “I’m very proud of the group,” Foligno said. “Especially [considering] the way they went into St. Louis and played, and the way they’ve handled themselves. You’ve seen so much growth.”
The Road to Recovery
Foligno called his return to practice “the beginning of the healing process.” “I’m excited for Milana to get back to school eventually, and I get to go back to work and be around the guys,” he added. “It’s the beautiful part of the game sometimes: it helps you distract yourself from what’s going on at home. But I’m so proud of how she’s recovering, and I know she’s an inspiration to me and a lot of people.”
Roster Crunch
The Hawks have only one game — Thursday at the Lightning — scheduled during the next six days, allowing them to get some rest as a team. Jason Dickinson, Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky didn’t practice Monday, but all seem likely to play Thursday. With Foligno and Landon Slaggert back as well, that would give the Hawks 14 available forwards — despite needing only 11 to complete coach Jeff Blashill’s preferred seven-defenseman lineup format. Blashill said he isn’t sure what the solution to that logjam will be. Sending Ryan Greene down to Rockford, placing Sam Lafferty on waivers and/or finally trading Lukas Reichel are the most realistic options.
Conclusion
The return of Nick Foligno to the Blackhawks after his daughter’s successful heart surgery marks a significant moment for the team and the Foligno family. The outpouring of support from the hockey community, fans, and teammates has been a source of comfort and strength during a challenging time. As Milana continues her recovery, the Folignos remain committed to raising awareness about congenital heart defects through their foundation, The Heart’s Playbook. The team’s dedication to Milana and their impressive performance in her honor demonstrate the strong bond within the team and their capacity for growth and resilience.
FAQs
- Q: What was the reason for Nick Foligno’s leave of absence from the Blackhawks?
A: Nick Foligno took a leave of absence to be with his daughter, Milana, who underwent emergency heart surgery in Boston. - Q: How old is Milana Foligno, and what health challenges has she faced?
A: Milana Foligno is 12 years old and was born with congenital heart defects, undergoing surgeries in 2013 and 2018. - Q: What foundation do Nick and his wife, Janelle, run to support children with heart defects?
A: They run a foundation called The Heart’s Playbook, which raises awareness and funds research for children with heart defects. - Q: How has the team responded to Milana’s health situation?
A: The team dedicated a game to Milana, winning 8-3 against the Blues, and players have shown support through visits and well wishes. - Q: What is the current roster situation for the Blackhawks, and how might it be addressed?
A: The Blackhawks have a roster crunch with 14 available forwards, and solutions might include sending players to Rockford, placing players on waivers, or trading players like Lukas Reichel.
