Jordan Nolan
A gritty depth forward who carved out an NHL career defined by physical play and winning two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: June 23·Millennials
Biography
Jordan Nolan's path to the NHL was forged in the shadow of his father, former coach Ted Nolan, but he earned his stripes through sheer abrasiveness. Drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Kings, he embodied the 'heavy' hockey philosophy that defined the team's championship era. As a fourth-line winger, his role wasn't to light up the scoreboard but to deliver punishing checks, win board battles, and provide contagious energy. He lifted the Stanley Cup in 2012 and again in 2014, a testament to the indispensable value of role players in a championship puzzle. After his playing career, Nolan transitioned into acting, appearing in television series like 'The Twilight Zone,' showcasing a versatility beyond the rink. His story is a classic hockey narrative: the player whose contributions, while not always glamorous, are absolutely vital to the ultimate prize.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jordan was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jordan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jordan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two Stanley Cup championships with the Los Angeles Kings (2012, 2014).
- Played over 300 regular-season games in the NHL as a depth forward.
- Was part of the Kingston Frontenacs' leadership group, serving as an alternate captain in the OHL.
Did You Know?
His father, Ted Nolan, is a former NHL player and Jack Adams Award-winning coach.
He is of Ojibwe descent and has been involved in initiatives supporting Indigenous communities.
After hockey, he pursued acting and landed a role in the 2019 revival of 'The Twilight Zone.'
He was drafted 186th overall, making him a late-round success story.
“I had to be the hardest worker on the ice, every single shift.”
