Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Foley played Junior B with the St. Thomas Barons and skated in the OHA with the Toronto Marlboros and Oshawa Generals. During the late 1960s he was dominant player in the EHL with the Charlotte Checkers and Jersey Knights. After scoring 175 points in 1968 and 1969, he was named to the EHL south first all-star team both years.

In 1970-71 he played two games with the Chicago Black Hawks but spent most of his time in the WHL with the Portland Buckaroos. He scored 71 points for Portland and led the league with 306 penalty minutes. Prior to the 1972-72, Foley was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and seemed to find an NHL home with 36 points. His success in Philly was short-lived and he was relegated to the minors in 1972-73 then traded to the Detroit Red Wings. The hulking blueliner played seven games for the Wings in 1973-74 then went to the AHL where he continued to rack up points and penalties.

Foley signed with the WHA's Toronto Toros in June 1975 then played a few games for them the following season. After several years of running into opponents, Foley's body was worn out. He played two years of senior hockey with the Brantford Alexanders then retired in 1978.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame