BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Nick Foligno knew when he joined the Sudbury
Wolves organization it would be an intense pressure cooker, but
he doesn't mind.
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NICK FOLIGNO has turned into an
offensive dynamo recently for the Sudbury Wolves,
scoring four game wining goals in a recent streak of
games. Foligno has also drawn rave reviews from scouts
about his gritty, yet skilled style of play. |
In fact, he relishes the stress of playing
for the same Major Junior team his dad Mike played for, and
excelled at, in the late 70s. His dad now coaches and manages
the team.
"There's pressure that's for sure, but I
enjoy it," said Nick. "It's what I want. I knew coming in here
it would be like that, but it kind of gives me an edge every
game to do my best and prove myself. Pulling on the Wolves'
jersey is an honour. This has been the right choice. The guys
on the team make you want to go to battle with them. I wouldn't
want to be playing anywhere else."
Recently, Nick has been surging up the ranks
of the leading rookie scorers in the OHL.
With six goals and 26 points in 42 games,
Nick is beginning to realize his potential, and knows what it
will take for him to continue his success.
"The preparation for each game is
challenging," said Nick. "The pace here is quick. You can't
just walk into the arena on game night and expect to have a
good game. You have to prepare mentally and that's what I am
doing."
Nick, 17, knows full well he has to work
extra hard each time he steps onto the ice, whether it's for a
game or for practice because he's the coach's son.
"I do work very hard for my ice time," said
Nick. "My dad gives me a fair shot just like everyone else.
There's no favoritism here at all. I am trying to do the best I
can, and hopefully with this latest stretch of games, it will
prove to my hardest critics I belong."
Wolves' head coach and general manager Mike
Foligno obviously enjoys the fact he gets to see his son
develop first hand, but also realizes he has a job to do first
as a coach, then as a father.
"Nick has gained the trust of our coaching
staff with his hard work," said Mike. "We give him as much ice
time as it warrants. Nick's a good penalty killer and he has a
lot of creativity on the ice. He also has great vision. Nick
has the ability to know where our players are on the ice. It
allows us to have two lines that can contribute offensively. He
has played well as the role of a centre man on our team."
Scouts from around the league have noticed
Nick's gritty, yet skilled style of play, and see great
potential in the teenager.
"Foligno has the potential to be a first- or
second-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft because of his
quick feet, good hockey sense and understanding of the game,"
said Mark Seidel, Chief Scout of the International Scouting
Service. "He has good offensive instincts and distributes the
puck well, but still needs work on his strength. Although we
appreciate his grittiness and physical play, he must avoid the
scrums and leave the
pushing to lesser-talented players. With a
year of Major Junior under his belt, he will become an
offensive force for the Wolves in 2005-06."
