Ted Nolan discusses early heroes and childhood mentors during national livestream
By Sam Laskaris
GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION – While he was growing up, Ted Nolan didn’t have to travel too far to see his heroes.
Nolan, a member of Garden River First Nation, ended up not only playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) but also becoming a coach in the world’s premier hockey circuit.
Nolan was also inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame last year. And on June 11, he was part of the Hall’s national livestream titled Storytelling Series: Celebrating Indigenous Sports Heroes.
“My heroes were the guys who played with the Garden River Braves,” Nolan said during the livestream when asked about those he admired. “Growing up, I wanted to be a Garden River Brave. That’s what I wanted —to be playing on the men’s hockey team or the men’s baseball team.”
Nolan said his parents were his biggest role models and the people who most influenced him.
“My father taught me the importance of work,” Nolan said. “He said ‘Ted, whatever you want in life, you’ve got to work for it.’ And my mother instilled the confidence in me and who I was as an Anishinaabe man, as a First Nations man. And she talked to me about all the traditions that we have, and all the cultures that we had, and who we are as people.”
Nolan, who is 68, also explained why he didn’t really look up to NHL players while growing up.
“We didn’t have a TV, so I didn’t even know what the National Hockey League was, to tell you the truth,” he said, adding he would only hear about great players such as Bobby Orr and Guy Lafleur. “But I knew who the Garden River Braves were.”
Nolan ended up playing 78 games in the NHL. He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1978 NHL draft after impressing team officials by playing two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Soo Greyhounds.
He appeared in 60 games with the Red Wings. Later in his career, Nolan suited up for 18 contests with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nolan spent eight years in professional hockey and played for four minor-league teams.
“My story, I don’t think it would happen today,” Nolan said. “And to tell you the truth, the hockey game has transformed so much.”
Nowadays, players have power skating schools, AAA programs, elite programs, and skills coaching.
“I was just at the right time at the right place,” Nolan added. “I played recreational hockey in Sault Ste. Marie. Someone saw me play and gave me an opportunity to come and try out with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds when I was 16 years old. And that doesn’t happen too much from House League hockey to Major Junior hockey.”
Nolan played with the Greyhounds’ Junior A affiliate team in Kenora for a year before cracking the Soo roster.
During the livestream, Nolan was also asked whether he believes Canada has achieved reconciliation.
“I hate to bust anybody’s bubble,” he said. “But, jeez, I think we got a long, long way to go.”
He believes that is because some opportunities are just not there for some Indigenous children.
“Because of the advancement in hockey now, with the kids buying sticks that are $300 and going to power skating schools and playing in the elite programs and getting specialized training, it’s pulling further and further from the average person,” he said. “And even further away from the person who doesn’t have access to some of those things…“So, are we developing our best athletes? I have to beg to differ sometimes because some of the best athletes maybe haven’t got the access to being a good athlete. So, I think we should get back to somewhat of a basic thing that everybody has a chance.”
After his playing days were over, Nolan spent six seasons coaching with the Greyhounds. He also had NHL coaching stints with the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Islanders.
He captured the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach for his work with the Sabres during the 1996-97 season.
Nolan also offered advice to other Indigenous coaches looking to make their mark in the sport.
“Just be truthful to who you are,” he said. “The game shouldn’t have any bearing on what colour or what nationality or what religion someone has. It’s a game of hockey. And be truthful to yourself. That’s one of the things I wish I would have had, a little bit more confidence in myself, to be proud of who I am but also trying to fit into the mainstream.”