Nolan Yonkman is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on April 1, 1981, in Punnichy, Saskatchewan, Canada. Yonkman began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders in the 1997-98 season. He played with the Raiders for four seasons and was known for his physical play and defensive skills.
In 2001, Yonkman was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 2003-04 season, playing in 11 games. Yonkman spent most of his time in the Capitals' minor league system, playing for the Portland Pirates and Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Over the course of his career, Yonkman played for several NHL and AHL teams, including the Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, and Buffalo Sabres. He was known for his physical play and defensive skills, often being used as a shutdown defenseman. Yonkman was also a team leader and was respected by his teammates for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
In addition to his professional career, Yonkman also played for Team Canada in international competitions. He won a gold medal with Canada at the 2002 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2001 Under-18 World Championships.
Yonkman retired from professional hockey in 2016 after playing for the San Diego Gulls in the AHL. He finished his career with 45 NHL games played, recording one assist and 105 penalty minutes. In the AHL, Yonkman played in 683 games, recording 19 goals, 94 assists, and 1,376 penalty minutes.
Overall, Nolan Yonkman had a successful hockey career, playing at the highest level of the sport and representing his country in international competitions. He was known for his physical play and defensive skills, and was respected by his teammates for his leadership and work ethic.
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