Nick Foligno talks playing with Connor Bedard, Blackhawks’ rebuild + the ‘code’ | NHL on ESPN

Nick Foligno talks playing with Connor Bedard, Blackhawks’ rebuild + the ‘code’ | NHL on ESPN

So Nick when you get traded to Chicago and then you sign a deal there how was your role outlined to you well I think I kind of knew obviously the direction that things were going in Chicago and and the conversations I had with Kyle and Luke and you know what I was being

Brought in for was the you know that veteran presence or the the mentorship but also you know they were really adamant at you know my play as well right it wasn’t just hey you’re coming in here to guide our young guys we need you to play really well for us and I

Think that really excited me because it gave me a feeling of of importance and opportunity as well and um it’s kind of what I was looking for after you know things ended in in Boston and um so yeah it’s been it’s been an awesome experience obviously you know we’d like

Our record to be different and we’ve gone through some some pretty crazy things this year but um you know getting to know the players uh the the youth that we have on this team going forward the the guys that are here that really want to make a difference it’s been it’s

Been really fun to be a part of and and help push along when you talk about your play like what do you take most pride in I think just trying to be a differenc maker honestly I still feel like I have the ability to do that and and whether

It’s you know with the play away from the puck or uh in practice or you know especially in a game just just those those moments in the game where you need people to to influence the team and and and impact the team I feel like I can

Still do that and understand how to do that I’ve had a lot of years of doing it and and different roles and and kind of now played a lot of different roles in my career and I’m enjoying the you know the uh extended experience now or extended opportunity of of playing more minutes

And and being able to impact the game a little greater than than I was able to maybe in Boston or uh so that’s been that’s been fun and obviously just you know trying to be a good guy in the room and understanding uh how we’re trying to

Push this along there right it’s there’s so many great guys in that room but it’s it’s bringing us all together and and trying to find a way forward that you know we’re we’re in the in the start of of building this organization back up to

Where we wanted to get to go and uh I’m really excited about that you said like you come in and the mentorship is part of it though because it’s an exciting time for the franchise I get the number one pick Connor Bard so just what’s your first impression of meeting him what

Sticks out to you yeah I mean I was I was not sure what to expect you know i’ heard so many things I think that’s probably the most unfair thing for Connor is there’s so much out there on him um but you get him broken down or in

The room and uh and get to talk to him in in a one-on-one environment and he’s he’s an awesome kid just really is it’s um you know wiser Beyond his years than you expect more mature than you’d probably expect but also kind of expect with everything he’s had to deal with

But the grace in which he’s handled with you know he’s he still somehow is able to be himself and I really appreciate that about him because I think it’s so easy to kind of put your guard up and I know he has to in certain aspects but

Around us he really is able to be himself and let his guard down and laugh and joke about himself and and you you can tell he’s just most comfortable in in a lock room environment with the guys so um I think what stuck stuck out to me

Though is just that his hunger to be the best you know I I really haven’t been around a um you know a player like him in a lot of ways I have I played with some great players but nobody maybe with as much anticipation uh as he’s had and

As much of a uh bullseye on his back in a lot of ways of of what people are expecting and and just how he just that’s not even a it doesn’t even phase him you know it’s amazing how he just it’s like it’s just part of the job and

Part of who he wants to become and he literally wants to be the best player to ever play the game I I see that in him I see the way he acts and um you know he’s he’s been a joy to be around I’ve learned a lot from him just as much as

Hopefully I’m teaching uh you know he’s I’m teaching him I’ve learned a lot from him as well and uh he’s a guy that uh that’s impressed me every day I have so many follow-ups but like the thing that struck me is just how he’s himself

Around the guys in the room so I’m just curious have you guys pranked him yet like how does he take a joke yeah he he actually he takes a lot especially you know early on it was he would make me laugh because he would he would be

Rushing home to watch his team and I said what team are you talking about and it was the Regina Pats and I was like you know that you play for the Chicago Blackhawks now like he still has that humbleness where like that me that team meant so much to him right he loves

Those guys and I would you know we’ give him the gears like hey you’re in the NHL now like can let the WHL go but um that’s just who he is he’s a he’s a fan more than anything too right like he loves the game of hockey and um yeah so

It’s it’s funny like the little things that that he you know he jumps into he chirps guys just as much um you know he likes to give it to guys but but he can take it and he can laugh at himself and I think that’s a great quality to have

As a person and um you know and I think we all really appreciate that about him that he can just be himself in the room and I think that’s some something that as an as a player that’s gone through it I think if you can create an environment

Where your young players can feel comfortable and be themselves in a locker room then I think you’re on to something I think you’re you’re starting to grow that culture and that identity that you want I think in our room I’m really proud to say that we do have that

Where we have because we have so many young guys and we have so many different personalities that that they’re already starting to show their true colors and I think that’s a really great sign for a club you’re 36 like what’s something you notice about the kids I know we always

Have to mention your name obligatory did you guys know that Antonio Gates played basketball in college but being a 36 year old on the team I’m just curious like when the kids come in now they’re 19 20 years old on this team what’s the biggest difference you notice about them than when you

Broke in oh man there’s so many things um you know I don’t know what I guess maybe like we when I broke in I just felt like there was a lot more offending for ourselves you know like we had to learn on the go a lot more where

There’s a little more handholding now or like expectation to be like told what to do and I think because that probably starts in junior now like guys had they have meals made for like we we used to have to go and figure out where we were

Eating before games even in the NHL when I came like our breakfast is weren’t paid for our lunches especially at home were not made at the rink we had to go out to restaurants so just little things like that where there’s like an expectation now of like wait wait I have

To do this for myself um has been kind of funny with the young guys and we can talk about video games that’s just the area area or era they grew up in but uh it’s it is quite funny to me just that part where there’s just a little bit

More expectation like hey wait wait you wait I have to do this by myself like you’re not gonna come with me no it’s you’re a big boy now right and um so yeah it’s it’s been funny to to kind of have those moments with the guys but um

Luckily for us our our young guys are are really great and um and there you know they’re hungry to get better and and learn and uh that’s all you can ask how do you think it shows up in the way that they like to get coached I think that’s a little bit of

Of it is right like where we when I came in it was almost every single time that Co like now guys know what they do wrong a lot they’re watching their own videos they’re you know they’re analyzing their game so much better so it’s almost like they know the answer before the coach

Even has to come down and I think so a little bit of it is like massaging Egos and and also letting them know but also realizing that they they don’t need to be told directly and that the motivation side of it is actually really important

Now right like hey I know you you mess that up but but I know you can do it and it’s amazing how that really uplifts a lot of the younger players now where when I came in the league You’ get braided up and down the ice if you made

A mistake and uh and that was kind of normal because you had to be put in your place and toll you know and uh now these guys are so dialed into their games and and what’s needed that there that the motivation is just a little bit

Different how how you handle it’s not a softer approach it’s just there’s more information they have way more information at their fingertips now so it’s just it’s just reading through what information actually matters and giving them that as opposed to you know just coming down and laying into them where

Now it’s more of a direct like you did this wrong here’s why here’s what I need you to fix and let’s go do it you know totally all right one more question of like get off my lawn back in my day but I’m just curious and I don’t know maybe

This is actually a different topic but when I’ve noticed in the leag today is just the way the code that it is for to protect teammates and stand up for teammates and I know that’s part of your role especially with all these young guys like how would you describe what

The code is to stand up for a teammate because to me it seems like more than ever you almost have to answer for clean hits yeah yeah I just I know it’s it’s hard it really is hard because I I know there’s clean hits that happen and it’s

Part of the game like I had John torella as a coach and need to say hey you’re going to get hit like it’s the NHL right like he he calls it a no hit League now that’s why I think everyone reacts so strongly to any hit because any kind of

Big hit now is like you must have done something wrong no it was just a really good body check that we don’t see very often anymore so I think that’s the problem but there are moments in games where the code or whatever you want to call it is important you know like when

You feel like your team is being taken advantage of that’s when I feel like that’s when you step in as a teammate you know like hey you’re GNA get hit but if you feel like the hit was a little I don’t at the wrong time or he

Went out of his way to hit that guy or you know it was a defenseless player or a guy that’s a skilled guy on your team that you don’t you know we need him to score we don’t need him like the other you know when Conor breaks his jaw right

Like Smith knows what he’s doing and he’s absolutely within his right to hit him there it’s just that we can’t let our best player lay on the ice like that and not have a response and and I respect Smith a ton for the way he plays

And that’s the right it’s a great hit you can’t argue that but we’re going to answer the way we see fit and I think sometimes the code also keeps it safe too I know it sounds weird to say that but instead of me now running around trying to hit maybe their skilled guys

Or somebody that doesn’t really know how to do it is like oh I got to take it upon myself and go and now he hits somebody from behind and really hurts somebody because instead of the fight or a reaction to that guy it turns into somebody else getting really hurt so

There’s all these little games within the game that I call them and I think if it’s policed well and done well it actually keeps the game honest and you know I think all the players do appreciate it I think it’s sucks when moments happen that it goes overboard

You know we saw that with uh Morgan Riley that like I I don’t think I played with him there’s no way he actually meant to cross check him in the head I think it just rides up and gets him so but then you’re already pot committed you’re like oh this is what happens

Right it’s the game and so you know it’s it’s it’s a brutal you know break in a lot of ways but he’s trying to protect and and honor his team and what he feel felt like was a disrespect towards his team and you kind of you as a teammate I

Respect that now that you’re around a star player like a generational player taking hit that broke his jaw aside how do you notice the way other teams treat Connor on the ice oh yeah I mean you you notice it because well first of all it’s amazing what an 18-year-old can command

Respect at that young of an age right like can see how you can see how guys play them differently you can see even some of the big hitters that they’re just not sure do I want to be on a highlight reel for getting dangled or am

I gonna get a piece of them right so you could see how some guys play off him a little bit and and especially because there’s not really a A playbook on him yet right where they know his Tendencies like now you know Austin Matthews likes

To pull and shoot and he’s had to change the way he shoots and does things as well so you know you can see people are are are trying to read him as they go um but yeah he’s definitely going to get more attention and and as the games get

More important for us you know down the road Conor’s going to have to fight through a lot of what those star players have had to do that right like teams are when we’re in a playoff run and they’re going to Target him a little bit more so

He’s going to have to get used to that and understand that hit like Smith is people are going to try and and and push him into certain areas to try to pin him off and maybe there is an opportunity for a hit so he has to understand that a

Little bit more too and that’s all learning and part of of being a great player and all the greats have done it they’ve had to learn how to play with a Target on their back and but you watch it and you and you try to protect him

And and teach him and and the lucky for us though is he’s a guy I mean if you watch him he plays with his head up the whole game so it’s not like he doesn’t know who’s coming or what’s coming but you know the the dad in me always uh

Wants to protect all the guys on my team so um you know you always want to look out for each other and and vice versa they’re always looking out for me as well I always love your perspective on things that are going in the league so

I’m just curious is there a topic or an issue for players that you wish either got more attention or could get dressed man that’s a put me on the spot um always Nick never I don’t know I’m not gonna lie to you I’m a little concerned with uh like

The mental health aspect of our players right now I’ve seen a lot of guys enter the program which I think is wonderful um that we have that and and I’m I’m really thankful because we’ve had to put some of you know a personal side some of

Our family have had to use it um but I I am concerned at now seeing the growing number every year and you know some I’m wondering if more can be done you know I’m wondering if the age that we’re living in the pressures that that that players are facing the pressures that

Are facing either at home not even on the ice just at home with social media with whatever it is is there enough that we’re doing now that we have some more information to really help people through a time where let’s be honest it’s it’s at the Forefront of a lot of

Things right now whether you know I’m a father of three kids and and mental health is a big topic that we talk about as we watch them get older so that probably is for me a little bit of one I want to see our league healthy both on

And off the ice you know and I want to see our players Thrive and be given every opportunity to and and I also think it’s nice though that it humanizes us too in a way right like we’re not on this pedestal where we’re um you know not susceptible to having these things

And and I think it also makes people realize yeah like they’re going through the same thing I’m maybe going through and so it does have its benefits that way too but let’s let’s have maybe more of a conversation and talk about it and find ways to to Really you know get to

The bottom of what’s going on and maybe we can help everyone out because of that what are some ways that you’ve protected your peace and address your mental health oh man I’m always working on it I just I find I’m like my my wife’s very

In tune with that so we and I think it’s conversation I think that’s where a lot of and I mean listen I don’t have I’m not an expert I just I really feel like when you can communicate and communicate your feelings and have a place where you

Feel comfortable to talk about that and have people that you feel comfortable about talking that with it’s amazing what can come out and cleanse you in a lot of ways too right and I’ve you know I’ve gone through a lot of things that that have definitely you know caused me

A lot of mental stress and um with health of family members losing a family member and even just the game itself right there there’s there’s never it’s never always a high moment but I think the conversation that you have with people you really trust that have the

Tools in place to help you um I think it allows you to kind of process things a little bit better and uh you know even teammates it’s amazing when you talk to other teammates and friends that that are in the same kind of field as you are

That have gone through those things and how that can help you as well so I’m just a big believer in community communication and I just think it’s something that we uh we were taught as younger just swallow your feelings and I think now we’re starting to realize how

Important it is to speak about it and that can honestly lead to so many other great things to come from it so um that’s probably the one thing I use the most and maybe I overshare my feelings a little bit too much but I’m an oversharer too yeah but I think that’s

Uh that’s in a good way and and I think it hopefully teaches my kids and people around me that you know what it’s it’s okay and and you know if they feel comfortable to share with me then I think you’re you’re putting yourself in a good position to really help people

Terrific messaging Nick I appreciate that thank you I’ll end you on this one you know you signed an extension to stay in Chicago they’re in a rebuild right now what have you learned about yourself in this rebuild and the two- part is what’s it going to be like when the

Blackhawks come out of this oh man I don’t know I guess what I’ve I’ve learned about myself through this is that I I still have a lot more I want to give um and I really enjoy the process of building something you know I

I not to say like I I was I love my time in Boston I learned from some of the best in my opinion the best leader in the game at the time was Patrice berson and uh I love seeing how he went about how he you know went around the room and

How he led and uh the how he got guys to follow and how those guys followed him and you know that wasn’t just Bergie it was such a collective group there of guys that um and and I really enjoyed learning from them but also it made me

Realize like I really love the grind of it where you’re you’re building something where you have 20 guys that you’re trying to mesh together and find a way for a common goal and get everyone on the same page whether it’s you know it’s through some guys aren’t feeling it

That day some guys are and how do you how do you get them motivated how you I just I don’t know I find I really enjoy uh people and I enjoy the comp competitive Spirit of of a team and so I really am excited about helping here in

Chicago with the group that we have and more people I’m sure that will come in and really try and help push this this organization back to the supremacy it was at at one time you know and I remember coming in here and playing and and this was the gold standard for a lot

Of years so uh I’m I’m excited to build it the right way and and help that and and know hopefully leave a a you know this team in a better place than I found it and uh that’d be pretty pretty special feeling and and excited exciting

To see if if maybe we can get a cup down the road I don’t know if I’ll be here for it I’m hoping I am you never know but uh that’d be pretty special no there’s so much good messaging in there too just enjoying the process and

Being I don’t know just present too yeah yeah I mean listen I I want to win more than anybody and you know the goal is always to win the Stanley Cup so that’s what bothers me sometimes is I get the re you have to be a realist sometimes

And where you’re at but I also seen teams Catch Fire and I’ve seen so why why put a a ceiling on anything right now especially with the players that we have and uh you know if you believe strong enough it’s amazing what that can overcome in a lot of ways too so that’s

The messaging that I’m trying to portray here in this room and and the mindset and and hopefully we can build it like I said the right way so that the foundation is strong for a lot of years to come little Patrice bers on a little Ted

L there yeah Berg w more hands and way more hair all right we’ll make sure that gets in there next thanks I really appreciate It

Emily Kaplan interviews Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno about his time in Chicago with rookie Connor Bedard and more.

0:00 His role in Chicago
2:11 Getting to know Bedard
5:50 Difference with younger players now
8:40 The “code”
11:21 How teams handle Bedard
13:03 Mental health of players
16:54 What he’s learned about himself

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