Nick Foligno reveals harsh reality behind career-ending injury with Blackhawks
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Nick Foligno's challenging stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nick Foligno's move to the Toronto Maple Leafs was heralded with great anticipation, a transfer capturing not only sports headlines but also personal sentiment.
Foligno, acquired from Columbus-where his NHL journey flourished-arrived in Toronto amid the 2021 North Division playoffs, a city deeply ingrained in his family's history due to his father's legacy there.
The trade, detailed in Amazon's series All or Nothing, occurred during an unprecedented season shaped by the pandemic, introducing a bubble format that segmented the NHL into regional divisions.
This setup posed significant challenges for the players, including prolonged periods away from home and the logistical strains of frequent travel.
For Foligno, the journey from Columbus was marred not just by the physical distance but by deteriorating health conditions.
I was actually playing really well the first few games I was playing with and then for whatever reason my back just, I remember it actually, I remember feeling I woke up we had a long flight back from Vancouver. I got to Montreal or was it yeah Vancouver got to Montreal and uh just I don't know if it was the plane or what but just my back just was tight that night and I went to stop in front of the net and I have no idea why but for whatever reason boom everything just locked up. I was completely stuck couldn't even get off the ice actually, it was funny Josh Anderson was next to me and we played together in Columbus, and kind of like shoved me in front I'm like and he's like "oh my God are you all right?
I'm like, "I can't move" like so he was like trying to help me off the ice and he's he was like "dude, what just happened?
I'm like, "I can't move" like so he was like trying to help me off the ice and he's he was like "dude, what just happened?
Foligno's tenure with the Leafs was fraught with setbacks as injuries hobbled his capacity to contribute consistently, limiting his presence in the lineup and ultimately affecting his impact in the playoffs.
Despite his reputation as a resilient forward, his physical struggles sidelined him during critical moments, leaving the team to face the Montreal Canadiens without his full capabilities.
"I felt like I could really help on the ice and off the ice to get them over the hump. That's why I picked [Toronto], that's why I felt like I wanted to go there to put my stamp on that team. That's probably the thing that bothered me the most. I think I was just so frustrated because I knew I was really hurt, and I knew how much they invested in me, and I was trying to push through it. I was a shell of myself.
"I couldn't help galvanize the team; I couldn't do what I wanted to do on and off the ice. I'm sure the Toronto fans are just as disappointed with how it all shook out. But I guarantee you, I'm more disappointed, and it's just something you're going to have to live with."
"I couldn't help galvanize the team; I couldn't do what I wanted to do on and off the ice. I'm sure the Toronto fans are just as disappointed with how it all shook out. But I guarantee you, I'm more disappointed, and it's just something you're going to have to live with."
As the Leafs exited the playoffs in the first round, the saga of what might have been with a healthy Foligno lingered in the thoughts of many.
His aspirations to lift Toronto past their postseason hurdles went unfulfilled, deepening the narrative of missed opportunities.
Reflecting on his stint, Foligno's transition from Maple Leaf blue to the rival Boston Bruins marked another chapter in his career, leaving behind a trail of what-could-have-been moments in Toronto.
His departure, followed closely by fans and analysts alike, underscored the unpredictable nature of sports-where hope and disappointment often intermingle closely.
Source: Bruins Insider
Former Boston Bruins fan favourite opens up about career ending injury
Former Boston Bruins fan favourite opens up about career ending injury
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13 AOUT | 27 ANSWERS Nick Foligno reveals harsh reality behind career-ending injury with Blackhawks Did you think Foligno would've been a great fit for the Maple Leafs? | ||
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