Ted Nolan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ted Nolan
Ted Nolan at the 2006 NHL awards
Born	(1958-04-07) April 7, 1958 (age 67) Garden River First Nation, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Draft	78th overall, 1978 Detroit Red Wings
Playing career	1978–1986

John Theodore Nolan OC (born April 7, 1958) is an Indigenous Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He is known for his time as a left winger in the National Hockey League (NHL). He later became a successful head coach for teams like the Buffalo Sabres.

Nolan played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. After his playing career, he became a coach. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Sabres twice. He also coached the New York Islanders and the national teams of Latvia and Poland.

Playing Career on the Ice

As a player, Ted Nolan was a left-winger. He played for several teams before reaching the NHL. These included the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey Association and teams in the American Hockey League (AHL).

From the early to mid-1980s, Nolan played in the NHL. He wore the jerseys of the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His time in the top league showed his skill and toughness on the ice.

Coaching Career Behind the Bench

Leading the Greyhounds

Nolan's coaching journey began in 1988 with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the same junior team he played for. He became their head coach and had great success. He led the team to the Memorial Cup tournament three years in a row. In 1993, his team won the championship, which is the top prize in Canadian junior hockey.

First Stint with the Buffalo Sabres

After a season as an assistant coach for the Hartford Whalers, Nolan became the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres in 1995. In his second year, he led the team to a division title. He was so good that he won the Jack Adams Award as the best coach in the NHL for that season.

However, Nolan had disagreements with the team's star goalie, Dominik Hašek, and the general manager, John Muckler. When Nolan's contract ended, the new general manager offered him a new one-year contract. Nolan felt the offer was not fair after winning Coach of the Year, so he turned it down. The team then hired a new coach, Lindy Ruff.

Years Away from the NHL

After leaving Buffalo, Nolan didn't coach in the NHL for almost ten years. Some people believe that the disagreement in Buffalo made it hard for him to get another job in the league.

During this time, he coached the Moncton Wildcats, a junior team. In 2005, during a game, some fans were disrespectful to him because of his Indigenous heritage. This was a difficult experience, but many people, including the other team's management, supported Nolan and condemned the fans' behavior. The next year, Nolan led the Wildcats all the way to the Memorial Cup final.

Coaching the New York Islanders

In 2006, Nolan returned to the NHL as the head coach of the New York Islanders. In his first season, he led the team to the playoffs. He coached the Islanders for two seasons before he was fired in 2008.

International Coaching Success

In 2011, Nolan took on a new challenge: coaching the Latvian national team. He helped them qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics. At the Olympics, his team played a very close game against the powerful Canadian team, which was a huge achievement for Latvia.

Later, from 2017 to 2018, he coached the national team of Poland.

Return to the Buffalo Sabres

In November 2013, Nolan made a surprise return to the Buffalo Sabres as their temporary head coach. He was hired to help the team during a tough time. Even though the team didn't win many games, he was given a three-year contract to stay as the permanent coach.

However, the team continued to struggle. In April 2015, the Sabres' general manager decided to fire Nolan, wanting to go in a new direction.

Personal Life and Background

Ted Nolan is a member of the Ojibwe Nation and grew up on the Garden River First Nation reserve in Ontario, Canada. He was one of 12 children, and his family lived in a house without electricity or running water. His father passed away when he was 14, and his mother died a few years later.

Despite these challenges, Nolan worked hard to achieve his dreams in hockey. He and his wife have two sons, Brandon and Jordan, who both followed in his footsteps and played in the NHL.

Giving Back to the Community

Nolan is dedicated to helping others, especially Indigenous youth.

• The Ted Nolan Foundation: Started in 2004, this foundation gives scholarships to First Nations women to help them with school and sports. The scholarship is named after his mother, Rose Nolan.
• 3|NOLANS First Nation Hockey School: In 2013, Nolan and his sons started a hockey camp for First Nations children. The camp teaches hockey skills and also promotes healthy living and being a good role model.

Awards and Honours

Nolan has received many awards for his work both on and off the ice.

• Jack Adams Award winner as top NHL coach – 1996–97
• National Aboriginal Achievement Award – 1994
• Officer of the Order of Canada, 2025.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Head coaching record

NHL

Junior

See also

• Notable Aboriginal people of Canada