Former Boston Bruins fan favourite opens up about career ending injury

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Joshua Deeds
August 12, 2024 (11:36 PM)

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Nick Foligno's time in Toronto was limited, due to an scary injury that occurred while playing against the Montreal Canadiens.

When Nick Foligno arrived in Toronto via Columbus, he was excited to come to a place where his dad had played. It was an exciting time for the Foligno as detailed in the Amazon series: "All or Nothing" we see the trade play out.

The trade occurred when the NHL had split into divisions, due to pandemic protections, which put the Canadian teams in a bubble, up north.

This created challenges for players and teams, as the protections were for medical purposes and preventative measures. According to Foligno, when he arrived in Toronto from Columbus, he wasn't in the best health.

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?"

Afterwards Foligno's time in Toronto was shortened, he would be in and out of the lineup. He was unable to find a place on the roster, and even being known as a tough as nails player, would miss playoff games albeit.

Later on, the Leafs would lose in the 1st round( surprise) to the Montreal Canadiens.

He would mention what qualities he would he thought he would bring to Toronto and how painful it was to lose his chance there.

«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.»

Foligno wouldn't return to the Maple Leafs, as they could agree on a deal and would instead sign with the rival, Boston Bruins.

He still feels he left unfinished business in Toronto, along with letting down the fans as well.

Source: Blade of Steel
Nick Foligno opens up about the injury that ended his time in Toronto