Nick Foligno is taking a leave of absence from the Chicago Blackhawks in order to be present for his daughter .

“Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno will be taking a brief of leave of absence as his daughter undergoes follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease,” the Blackhawks said in a statement . “Nick, nor the Blackhawks, will have any further comment at this time.”

Foligno’s daughter, Milana, was diagnosed with mitral valve arcade, a congenital heart defect that could lead to heart failure, in 2013 while Foligno was with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Folignos brought their daughter to Boston where she had successful open-heart surgery in 2013 and 2018.

The longtime NHL forward revealed being close to the hospital that saved his daughter’s life made signing with

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