In the fast-paced world of professional hockey, Nick and Marcus Foligno have carved out reputations as fierce competitors and natural leaders. But this season, their most important battle isn’t happening on the ice—it’s in the fight against breast cancer, honoring the memory of their beloved mother, Janis.
Janis Foligno passed away in July 2009, just one month after watching her youngest son Marcus get drafted by the Buffalo Sabres—the same organization where their father Mike had played. Her death from breast cancer left a profound impact on both brothers, but it also ignited a mission that continues today.
“She was the drill sergeant in the family, the motivator, the everything, really,” Nick, now captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, told The Athletic. “She was the rock—which is why it really rocked our family when we lost her.”
While their father provided hockey wisdom, Janis was the driving force behind their dreams. She spent countless hours shuttling them to practices and games, often traveling several hours each way. Her sacrifices and unwavering support laid the foundation for both sons to reach the NHL.
The Foligno Face-Off: Turning Grief into Purpose
Through a partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation via Hockey Fights Cancer, the brothers launched the Foligno Face-Off—an initiative that has become one of their most meaningful accomplishments.
This year’s campaign encourages fans to donate $17 (representing the jersey number both brothers wear) or any amount they can give. Every dollar goes directly to the V Foundation for breast cancer research, building on the work of the Janis Foligno Foundation, which has already raised over $1.2 million for research and patient care.
“The fight continues and that’s something Marcus and I have always said we would do in her honor—to continue to fight and continue to find ways to make it a better outcome for somebody else,” Nick recently told NHL.com. “I think she’d be proud of that.”
Faith Through the Journey
Both brothers credit their Christian faith as essential to navigating life’s challenges, from the grief of losing their mother to the pressures of professional athletics. They’re actively involved with Hockey Ministries International, using their platform to share how faith shapes their perspective.
Nick often draws strength from Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“I just love how simple and direct a message it is,” he told HMI. “I think it perfectly describes the journey we go on in our faith in Christ. Always be hopeful because without it, I firmly believe we are lost. When hard times come, be patient and strong and know it won’t last. And lastly be constantly in dialogue with Jesus because that’s how you stay connected.”
Marcus echoes this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play the game he loves “with Christ guiding me through all the ups and downs.”
A Lasting Impact
Though Janis never saw the full arc of her sons’ NHL careers, her influence continues to shape how they lead their teams, parent their own children, and serve others. The timing of Marcus’s draft—just weeks before her passing—felt providential to the family.
“You think your mother hung on for that day, to see you get drafted,” Marcus reflected. “It was weird how full circle it was. Buffalo. It could have been anywhere in the NHL. She knew I’d be going home with a lot of family and friends there. She knew I’d be good. I’d be safe.”
Today, as Nick captains the Blackhawks and Marcus continues his career with the Wild, they carry forward more than hockey skills—they carry their mother’s heart for others and their faith in Christ. Through the Foligno Face-Off, they’re ensuring that Janis’s legacy of love, sacrifice, and determination continues to make a difference, one donation at a time.
In a sport often defined by individual statistics and team victories, the Foligno brothers have found their most meaningful success in honoring their mother’s memory and using their platform to serve others—a testament to both her influence and their faith.