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He became famous across hockey for his signature goal celebration, jumping high into the air after scoring.
15 Interesting Facts About Mike Foligno
Mike Foligno was a high-scoring NHL winger and 1,000-game veteran best known for his trademark goal celebration jump and rugged play.
Position
Right wing
Jersey
#17
Status
Retired
Teams
4
Facts
15
2
He was required to wear a custom helmet throughout his career due to his fontanel not fully developing.
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He was selected third overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
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He scored a career-high 41 goals and 80 points with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1985–86 season.
5
He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
6
Before starting his hockey career in Canada at age 10, he grew up in Italy playing soccer as a goalkeeper.
7
Over his 15-season NHL career, he accumulated 2,049 penalty minutes along with 727 career points.
8
He served as head coach and general manager of the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, coaching both of his sons.
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He worked as an assistant coach for four NHL teams: Toronto, Colorado, Anaheim, and New Jersey.
10
On December 23, 1991, he broke his foot in a game against Winnipeg, causing him to miss most of the season.
11
On December 2, 1981, he was traded to Buffalo alongside Dale McCourt and Brent Peterson for Danny Gare, Jim Schoenfeld, and Derek Smith.
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He represented Canada at three IIHF World Championships in the 1980s, playing in 27 total games.
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In December 1990, he was traded to Toronto along with an eighth-round draft pick in exchange for Brian Curran and Lou Franceschetti.
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He was traded to the Florida Panthers in November 1993 strictly in exchange for cash.
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In September 2016, he was hired as a professional scout for the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
About Mike Foligno
Michael Anthony Foligno was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 15 seasons in the NHL from 1979 to 1994 for Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto, and Florida. Selected 3rd overall in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, he registered 727 points and over 2,000 penalty minutes across 1,018 regular-season games. He became iconic for his signature goal celebration, a mid-air jump that became known across hockey culture.
Career Achievements & Milestones
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Drafted 3rd Overall in NHL Entry Draft
1979
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Career-High 41 Goals and 80 Points Season
1985-86
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Inducted into Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame
2004
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Reached 1,000 Career NHL Games Played
1993-94
Player Information & Stats
Detailed career statistics and background information about Mike Foligno.
Player Info
Country: Canada
Position: Right wing
Jersey #: 17
Status: Retired
Age: 67 years old
Physical Stats
Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Born: Sudbury, Ontario
Career Stats
Seasons: 15
Goals: 355
Assists: 372
Points: 727
Teams: 4
Drafted: 1979
Round: 1st
Teams & Career
Detroit Red Wings Buffalo Sabres Toronto Maple Leafs Florida Panthers
Mike Foligno played for 4 different teams during his 15 seasons career. He was originally drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1979.