Nick Foligno Named Columbus Blue Jackets Captain
Jan 25, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno forward Nick Foligno (71) of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates after scoring a goal against Team Toews in the second period in the 2015 NHL All Star Game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Foligno was officially named Captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets today in a press conference. Not since 2012, when former captain Rick Nash was traded, have the Blue Jackets had a team captain. Foligno becomes just the 6th team captain in franchise history, following Lyle Odelein, Ray Whitney, Luke Richardson, Adam Foote and Nash. The press conference ran about 25 minutes with Foligno, wearing a C jersey, GM Jarmo Lekalainen and coach Todd Richards discussing the move and taking questions.
When asked what popped this season to finally name a Captain, Jarmo answered first describing a checklist he had that Foligno kept checking off and told reporters that Foligno was the one to reach out to the roster to let them know he’s been named captain. He also centered his comments around timing on the fact that the Jackets finally seemed ready to take that next step, something we talked about yesterday. When pressed about Assistant Captains, he replied that there will be As but those will be handed of during training camp after the organization had time to sort things out and evaluate during the off-season. Not sure if that meant in general with the roster or if that was foreshadowing of potential upcoming off-season moves.
During the presser, Richards talked about the importance of the captaincy. “When you become captain, it’s not about you, it’s about the group.” He likened it to becoming a dad, represented by a growing responsibility and care circle that now involves more people, not just your single self.
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A lot of the focus was on Foligno and he really handled himself with class and professionalism, making the ceremony mostly about the team, and less about himself. He talked a lot about the “next step” adding that he would judge his success not on individual achievements but the playoff success of the Jackets, even talking about watching the 4 teams still in the playoffs and hoping they were one of them next season. When speaking of what it means to be a captain, Foligno’s comments matched Richards’ (though Foligno spoke prior to Richards’ comments) “Take on a bigger role, helping my teammates. Be a good person, good player.”
Co-editor Frank Walker had Foligno in our Round-table discussion and discussed a lot of his big improvement this year. If I had a concern, it would be consistency. Foligno had a huge breakout this season but it was only his 2nd season over 40 points (last one was the 2011-2012 season). That’s nit-picky though. Foligno earned this with his toughness, tenacity and leadership in the locker-room (coverage of which is above my pay-grade but from what I hear). Foligno has 9 seasons of knowledge under his belt and will really help these younger Jackets make the transition to a successful NHL career and hopefully lead this team to the organization’s goal of playoffs and more next season.
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Nick is an outstanding citizen on and off the ice, so nice in fact he was questioned about his ability to be a little more harsh as some Captains are needed to, in which he responded that he just recently had a daughter and learned to flip on that switch when she gets out of line. He helps run the Janis Foligno Foundation which honors his late mother through supporting, “various charities including the Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation’s Breast Cancer Equipment Fund, the Vale Hospice, Meals on Wheels and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The Ican Independence Centre & Network in Sudbury and the House of Kin- Relief for Cancer families.” To learn more visit the Janis Foligno Foundation Website, Donate or read our Mother’s Day article on Janis…..but mostly make sure you donate.
Here at Union and Blue, we’re very excited to be covering a team that respects and honors a great overall person like Nick Foligno. We anxiously await to see the great highs this team can achieve behind the exceptional leadership of Nick Foligno. Congrats Nick!