Owen Nolan is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 18 seasons. He was born on February 12, 1972, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but grew up in Thorold, Ontario, Canada. Nolan began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Cornwall Royals in 1988. He was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
Nolan played for the Nordiques for two seasons before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in 1995. He played for the Sharks for eight seasons and was named team captain in 1998. Nolan was known for his physical play and scoring ability, and he helped lead the Sharks to their first-ever playoff appearance in 1994. He was also named to the NHL All-Star Game five times while playing for the Sharks.
In 2003, Nolan was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild before retiring in 2010. Nolan finished his NHL career with 885 points (422 goals, 463 assists) in 1200 games.
Nolan also represented Canada in international play, winning a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He also played in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 1997 and 2004 IIHF World Championships.
Off the ice, Nolan was known for his charitable work. He established the Owen Nolan Foundation in 2002, which supports children's charities in Canada and Ireland. He also participated in the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer program and was named the Sharks' nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2002, which recognizes leadership and humanitarian contributions.
Overall, Owen Nolan had a successful career in the NHL, earning numerous accolades and representing his country on the international stage. He was a physical and skilled player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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