Nolan Yonkman


Nolan Yonkman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League before concluding his career with JYP of the Finnish Liiga.

Playing career

Yonkman played major junior in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and Brandon Wheat Kings. He was drafted 37th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in 2001–02. Yonkman played the majority of his time with the Capitals organization with their AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates.
On July 17, 2006, Yonkman signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators. He has since played with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals for three seasons. On July 13, 2009, he was re-signed by the Predators to a one-year contract.
After four seasons with the Admirals, Yonkman then signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 3, 2010. Yonkman played for their affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.
On July 1, 2011 Yonkman signed a two-year deal with the Florida Panthers organization. He remained as captain with the Rampage, the Panthers new AHL affiliate, during his tenure with the Panthers. Over the course of his contract he appeared in 8 games for Florida as a reserve defenseman.
On July 7, 2013, Yonkman signed a one-year, two-way contract as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks.
As a free agent, following his season with the Ducks, Yonkman was unable to earn an NHL contract but was invited to the Calgary Flames training camp on September 18, 2014. Following his release from Calgary, Yonkman signed a one-year AHL contract with Flames affiliate, the Adirondack Flames, on October 7, 2014.
On May 18, 2015, Yonkman headed overseas, signing a one-year contract with Finnish Liiga club JYP.
Following the 2018–19 season, his fourth season with JYP in the Liiga, Yonkman ended his 18-year professional career. He returned to North America, taking a job with junior club Milwaukee Power of the NA3HL as Player Development Consultant, and providing color commentary for My 24 television broadcasts of Admirals games.

Career statistics