Ted Nolan is a former professional ice hockey player and coach from Canada. He was born on April 7, 1958, in Garden River First Nation, Ontario. Nolan began his hockey career as a player in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1976, where he played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He played for the Greyhounds for three seasons before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round of the 1978 NHL Entry Draft.
Nolan played in the NHL for three seasons, from 1981 to 1984, with the Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He then played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for several seasons before retiring as a player in 1986.
After retiring as a player, Nolan began his coaching career in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds. He coached the Greyhounds for three seasons, from 1988 to 1991, leading them to the Memorial Cup championship in 1993. Nolan then moved on to coach in the AHL, where he coached the Rochester Americans for two seasons, from 1991 to 1993.
In 1995, Nolan was hired as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the first Indigenous head coach in NHL history. He coached the Sabres for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997, leading them to the playoffs in both seasons. However, Nolan's tenure with the Sabres was controversial, as he clashed with team management over player personnel decisions.
After leaving the Sabres, Nolan coached in various leagues, including the AHL, the International Hockey League (IHL), and the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). He also coached the Canadian men's national team at the 2006 IIHF World Championships, leading them to a fourth-place finish.
In 2008, Nolan was hired as the head coach of the New York Islanders, where he coached for two seasons, from 2008 to 2010. He then took a break from coaching before returning to the NHL in 2013 as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres once again. Nolan coached the Sabres for two seasons, from 2013 to 2015, before being fired by the team.
Throughout his coaching career, Nolan has been known for his ability to motivate players and get the most out of them. He has also been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and has worked to promote hockey in Indigenous communities.
In conclusion, Ted Nolan had a successful career as both a player and coach in the world of ice hockey. He was the first Indigenous head coach in NHL history and has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights throughout his career. Despite some controversies, Nolan is widely respected in the hockey community for his ability to motivate players and get the most out of them.
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