Foligno was selected by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s 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 in 47 games.