Owen Nolan

Owen Liam Nolan (born 12 February 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild. Outside of the NHL, he also played for the ZSC Lions of the National League A (NLA).

Nolan is a five-time All-Star, being named one in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2002. Internationally, Nolan played for Finland, winning a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Nolan played parts of two seasons with the Cornwall Royals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful time with the Royals. During the 1989-90 season, Nolan scored 51 goals and recorded 59 assists in 58 games with Cornwall.

He was drafted 1st overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1990 NHL entry draft. He was immediately sent down to their AHL-affiliate Halifax Citadels. He played 6 games with the Citadels, scoring 4 goals and recording 4 assists for 8 points. On 4 October 1990, the Nordiques called him up and he made his NHL debut in a 3–3 overtime tie against the Hartford Whalers. On 12 October, Nolan scored his first NHL goal against Clint Malarchuk in a 4–3 shootout win against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He also recorded an assist on a Tony McKegney goal in the game. During the 1991-92 season, Nolan scored 42 goals and recorded 31 assists for 73 points in 75 games which were career-highs. In the 1994–95 season, Nolan was tied for third in the NHL in goals scored with 30 and finished the season first in the league in game-winning goals with 8. He helped the team during that years playoffs but they were eliminated by the New York Rangers four games to two. It was the last game the Nordiques played before the team was relocated to Denver, Colorado to become the Colorado Avalanche with Nolan staying with the team. 

On 26 October 1995, the Avalanche traded Nolan to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Sandis Ozoliņš. On 28 October 1998, the Sharks named Nolan as the next captain of the team.

On 5 March 2003, the Sharks traded Nolan to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Brad Boyes, Alyn McCauley, and a 2003 first-round draft pick. His time with the Leafs was filled with injuries. When Nolan was injured, the Leafs refuses to pay for his recovery and said that he had injured himself away from the rink. The case went to an arbitrator it was privately resolved.

On 16 August 2006, Nolan signed a one-year, $1 million contract to join the Phoenix Coyotes. He scored 16 goals and recorded 24 assists for 40 points in 76 games with the Coyotes.

On 3 July 2007, Nolan signed a one-year, $2 million contract to join the Calgary Flames. On 22 October, Nolan played his 1,000th NHL game in a 4–1 loss against his former team San Jose Sharks.

On 6 July 2008, Nolan signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract to join the Minnesota Wild. In the 2009-10 season, the Wild named Nolan as an alternate captain and also was in the rotation of captains for the team that season.

On 7 February 2012, Nolan announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

Personal life
Nolan's family is Catholic family and he was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and lived on the Falls Road.They moved to Canada and settled in Thorold, Ontario to avoid The Troubles. 

References

 Other websites 

Category:1972 births
Category:Living people
Category:Calgary Flames players
Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers
Category:Colorado Avalanche players
Category:Halifax Citadels players
Category:Minnesota Wild players
Category:Naturalized citizens of Canada
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada
Category:Phoenix Coyotes players
Category:Quebec Nordiques players
Category:San Jose Sharks players
Category:Sportspeople from Belfast
Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players