The Minnesota Wild ensured there would be a family reunion on their team for the latter portion of this season. At the trade deadline, the Wild acquired Chicago Blackhawks captain and center Nick Foligno in exchange for future considerations. With this deal, Nick would get to team up with his younger brother, Marcus, for the first time ever. It was an emotional moment for the Foligno family that the two would be on the same team, as they chase a Stanley Cup title.
That trade happened on March 6, but the two have not played together yet. That's because Marcus has been sidelined with a lower body injury, which forced him onto the injured reserve. Because of this transaction, he would have to miss a minimum of 10 games or 24 days.
But on Thursday, Marcus took a step forward, as he returned to practice on Thursday. To make matters better, he was on the same line as Nick. Now, he is set to return later in the day when the Wild take on the Florida Panthers.
After practice, Marcus spoke to the media, and mentioned how much he was looking forward to playing with Nick for the first time ever in their careers.
"It's a dream come true to play with your brother"
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 26, 2026
🗣️ Marcus Foligno on getting back into the lineup#mnwild pic.twitter.com/cKtVX8X3sv
"I'm really excited. Obviously it's a dream come true to play with your brother...to be on the same line is even better, so we hope to have a good showing tonight," said Marcus.
Marcus Foligno looking forward to lining up with brother Nick for first time ever
This will be a great moment for the Foligno family and Wild fans on Thursday night. This comes as the Wild are looking to officially secure their spot in the playoffs, where it's felt like a foregone conclusion they'd make it to the postseason.
As mentioned before, the Foligno brothers were on the fourth line in practice, with Marcus centering, Nick on the left wing, and Yakov Trenin on the right wing.
Marcus has only played in 48 games this season, as he served another stint on the injured reserve back in late November and early December. In those 48 contests, Marcus recorded six goals, five assists, 151 hits, and 41 blocked shots while averaging 12:57 of ice time.
Nick played in nine games for Minnesota since the trade, where he recorded one assist, 24 hits, three blocked shots, and two takeaways while averaging 11:32 of ice time. Before the trade, Foligno had posted three goals, eight assists, 87 hits, and 26 blocked shots in 37 games with the Blackhawks.
The Wild have 10 more games to go, counting Thursday night's game, to not only clinch a spot in the playoffs, but prepare them for what will be a rough first round matchup against, likely, the Dallas Stars. Getting as many reps as possible with your current roster will only help. Before the playoffs, Marcus made sure he was ready to go, and head coach John Hynes is rewarding him by teaming him up alongside his older brother Nick in his first game back from injury.