The Minnesota Wild’s playoff run was a dream scenario for wingers Marcus and Nick Foligno. While they didn’t capture the Stanley Cup, the two brothers played on the same team and were even on the same line after Nick was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
With 2,218 games of experience combined, it was one of many things the two brothers have shared during their career. And on Thursday, they could add the King Clancy Memorial Trophy to that list.
The NHL announced that Marcus Foligno is the recipient of this year’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Nick Foligno, who won the award as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2016-17 season, presented it to his brother at the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital on Thursday morning and it’s another parallel to their careers, becoming the first brothers in NHL history to win the award.
Wild wingers Marcus and Nick Foligno become first brothers in NHL history to win King Clancy Memorial Trophy
Marcus and Nick Foligno helped establish the Janis Foligno Foundation in 2010, which was created in memory of their mother who passed away after a battle with breast cancer in 2009. Together, they participated in the “Foligno Face-Off” fundraising campaign in part of the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative this season.
The fundraiser raised more than $200,000 with all donations going to life-saving breast cancer research and Marcus Foligno took it a step further, dedicating his time to meeting breast cancer patients and survivors last season.
“Throughout the season, Foligno spent time listening to their stories, offering encouragement, and expressing admiration for their strength and resilience,” The NHL wrote in a press release. “These interactions went further than brief introductions and instead created genuine moments of connection and support between the Wild forward and members of his community. Foligno’s compassion and commitment to honoring his mother’s legacy created a meaningful difference in the lives of many.”
Like many things associated with the foundation and their fundraising efforts, Marcus Foligno mentioned that it should be a joint award as Nick Foligno smiled and presented him the trophy. It’s also a testament how both Folignos have displayed superior leadership during his career with Nick serving as the captain of the Blackhawks the past two seasons and Marcus wearing the “A” as an alternate captain for the Wild since 2021.
Ideally, the brothers would probably like to add a second season in Minnesota together to their list of what they have shared during their career. But for now, they have become a big part of the Wild’s efforts in the community and has given both a notable accomplishment going forward.
