Nick Foligno
A hard-nosed, heart-on-sleeve winger whose leadership in Columbus transformed him into one of the NHL's most respected captains and community pillars.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: October 31·Millennials
Biography
Nick Foligno captained the Columbus Blue Jackets to a first-round playoff sweep in 2019. Drafted by Ottawa, he developed as a versatile, gritty forward before a trade to Columbus. In Ohio, he became a scoring leader and the emotional core of the team, wearing the 'C' with a profound sense of duty. His tenure as captain was defined by his palpable care for teammates and city. His on-ice role evolved in later seasons with Boston, Chicago, and Minnesota. Foligno's impact is measured in hits, timely goals, and an unwavering commitment to the people in his sweater.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nick was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Nick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the 10th captain in Columbus Blue Jackets history from 2015 to 2021.
- Scored a career-high 31 goals and 73 points in the 2014–15 season, earning an NHL All-Star selection.
- Won the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2017 for leadership and humanitarian contributions.
Did You Know?
His father, Mike Foligno, was a longtime NHL player, and his brother, Marcus, also plays in the NHL.
He scored a famous overtime 'Michigan' lacrosse-style goal in a junior hockey playoff game for the Sudbury Wolves.
He and his wife established the 'Janis Foligno Foundation' in memory of his mother, raising millions for cancer care and research in Sudbury, Ontario.
“Being captain isn't about the 'C' on your jersey, it's about the heart underneath it.”
