Wilkes-Barre signs Jordan Nolan to AHL contract

The Wilkes-Barre Penguins made a big addition yesterday when they signed Jordan Nolan to an AHL contract. Nolan’s name is on the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 with the LA Kings, and he was in the Blues’ organization in 2019 for a third Cup run. Nolan also served as AHL San Antonio’s captain last season. From wbspenguins.com:

Nolan, 31, is entering his 11^th professional season. Originally a 7^th round pick (186^th overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in 2009, Nolan has had his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup twice by helping the Kings win hockey’s ultimate prize in 2012 and 2014. The Garden River, Ontario native has played in 375 career NHL games, logging 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points to go along with 347 penalty minutes with Los Angeles, the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues.

Known and respected as a fierce competitor, Nolan spent last season wearing the “C” as captain of the San Antonio Rampage. He produced 27 points (11G-16A) in 60 games with the Rampage last year and has 107 points (44G-63A) in 255 career AHL contests spent with the Manchester Monarchs and San Antonio.

Jordan’s father, Ted, is well-known in hockey circles for being a former Sabres and Islanders head coach. Ted Nolan also played his final 18 NHL games with the Penguins in 1985-86, which is a cool organizational tie in between father and son. The AHL contract means Jordan is ineligible to play for the NHL Pens and won’t count against their 50-player team contract limit, but he will add a ton of experience and leadership to the AHL Pens for their season.

The AHL Pens have been missing that type of Tom Kostopolous veteran leader, and Nolan could certainly be that strong voice in the lockerroom. Wilkes-Barre doesn’t have a ton of great AHL wingers in the ranks, so he should be a valuable addition for the organization, even if he doesn’t figure to factor into any NHL contests.