Marcus Foligno

Junior

Folingo was selected by the Sudbury Wolves in the second round, 39th overall in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, the same team that drafted his older brother, Nick. After two seasons with the club, Foligno was selected in the fourth round, 104th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Foligno spent an additional two seasons with the Wolves, with his best coming during the 2010-11 season, in which he recorded 23 goals and 59 points.

Buffalo Sabres

Foligno agreed to terms on an entry-level professional contract with the Buffalo Sabres on May 25, 2011. He began play with the Rochester Americans in the 2011–12 AHL season.

Foligno was called up to the Buffalo Sabres on December 19, 2011. He made his NHL debut on December 20, playing against the Senators, and his brother. Foligno's second career start came March 10, 2012 again pitted against his brother and the Ottawa Senators. He netted his first career goal at 14:06 in the third period, which tied the game; Buffalo eventually won the game in a shootout.

Like his brother, Foligno used their father's "Foligno Leap" as his first career goal celebration. However on Marcus' first goal, he was unsure that he actually scored. As a result, Marcus used the "Leap" on his next goal in Buffalo on March 14, 2012.

Foligno broke the family tradition and did not choose the numbers 17 (worn by his father) or 71 (worn by his brother). Upon being drafted by the Sabres, he elected to wear number 82 instead of his father's number 17. Foligno was reassigned to the Americans immediately before the 2012 NHL lockout.

On June 27, 2016, the Sabres issued a qualifying offer to Foligno. He was signed to a one year contract on July 14, 2016. In the 2016–17 season, Foligno recorded a career best 13 goals in a checking-line role to match his 23 points from the previous season.

Minnesota Wild

As a restricted free agent, Foligno was traded along with Tyler Ennis and a third-round pick in 2018 to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Marco Scandella, Jason Pominville and a fourth round pick in 2018 on June 30, 2017. On September 14, the Wild re-signed Foligno to a four-year, $11.5 million contract extension worth $2.875 million annually.

International play

Approaching his final junior season in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves, Foligno was Invited to take part in Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp. In making a positive impression he was later selected to the 2011 World Junior roster for the IIHF Championship tourney in his birthplace of Buffalo, New York. He completed the Tournament with 2 goals and 4 points in 7 games as Canada claimed the Silver medal.

Personal life

Foligno was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of former NHL player and Sabre Mike Foligno and Janis Foligno. Janis died in 2009 from cancer. Although Marcus was born in the United States, both of his parents are Canadian, making him a dual citizen; Foligno plays for Canada in most international competition. Marcus is the younger brother of current Columbus Blue Jacket captain Nick Foligno. He also has 2 sisters named Lisa and Cara. Cara works in Buffalo, and Lisa works in Peterborough, Ontario. Marcus grew up in the mining community of Sudbury and played for the Sudbury Wolves during his junior career. Foligno was married on July 15, 2016.