PADDY NOLAN - PEI'S FIRST NHL PLAYER

1921-22 Toronto St.Pats Stanley Cup Champions

Patrick “Paddy” Nolan was the first Prince Edward Island born player to reach the National Hockey League. Nolan, born in Charlottetown December 1,1897, made a career playing with minor pro and senior teams in Nova Scotia but also he also had a “cup of coffee” in the National Hockey League. He was signed as a free agent by the Toronto St. Pats just two days before Christmas on December 23, 1921. Toronto was hit by a rash of injuries and turned to the minors and amateur leagues for help. The 24-year old left wing and defenseman would only play in two games in January, 1922 (a 5-2 win over Hamilton on the 7th and a 5-2 loss to Ottawa on the14th) before being released but paved the future Islanders and Maritimers to make the big time. There have been more than 50 PEI born or raised players who played in the NHL since Nolan tested the waters over 100 years ago.

He was a top amateur player in the Cape Breton Hockey League with the Glace Bay Miners (1915-1919) and the New Glasgow Black Foxes. He played one season with the Stellarton Seniors before being lured by the St. Pats.

Nolan, who was listed at 5’8” and 170 pounds, didn’t pick up a point in his brief NHL stint. Two other senior players who joined the St. Pats along with Nolan, Ted Stackhouse from Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Stan Jackson, who hailed from Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, stayed with the Toronto club and helped them win the Stanley Cup to complete the season in 1921-22. The St. Pats were led by a 23-year old Babe Dye who had 31 goals as Toronto went 13-10-1 in the regular season playing home games at the Mutual Street Arena. The Pats beat the Ottawa Senators in a two-game total point series and then defeated the Vancouver Millionaires, 3-2 in the Best of Five Stanley Cup Finals.

Nolan returned to the Maritimes to have a successful pro and amateur career which lasted until 1931.

On his return he joined the Stellarton Professionals and played there until 1925. He regained his amateur status and would play for the New Glasgow Colts, Chevrolets and Tigers over the next six seasons.

The most games he played in totaled 16 in 1923-24 with the Pros where he scored 10 goals and he also had a career high 15 goals in 12 games in 1922-23. Back then playing schedules were far more limited than today’s brand of hockey. Nolan would also have 12 goals in15 games with New Glasgow in his final full season in 1929-30. He would retire at age 34 the following year.

He would coach high school teams in New Glasgow following his playing career.

He died on April 12, 1957 in New Glasgow, at the age of 59.