Role model named to coach Sabres

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Ted Nolan, prominently featured on posters, promoting the Aboriginal role model program, continues to serve as a role model for Native youth.

He was introduced as the new head coach of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres on July 18. Nolan replaces the man who hired him, John Muckler, who relinquished his coaching duties during the off-season so that he could focus on his general manager responsibilities with the club.

"I'm very proud of my back-ground," said Nolan, an Ojibway who was raised and still lives in Garden River, Ont., a reserve located 15 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie. "I'm so proud to say it. And hopefully I can be an inspiration for others to follow their dreams."

During the hockey off-season, Nolan frequently visits reserves across Canada and talks to youths not only about his career but also about the importance of education, self-esteem and following dreams.

Nolan, 37, is no stranger to the NHL. Last season he was an assistant coach with the Hartford Whalers. And, although he spent the majority of his eight-season professional playing career in the minors, Nolan toiled in the NHL for portions of three seasons during the 1980s.

He suited up for a total of 60 games with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1981-82 and 1983-84 campaigns, and then appeared in 18 contests with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1985-86 schedule.

After his playing days ended, Nolan caught the coaching bug. He was the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for six seasons, posting a 186-154-28 mark.

During his final season (1992-93) with the Greyhounds, the club captured the Memorial Cup, which is annually awarded to the Canadian Hockey League champs. (Besides the OHL, the CHL consists of clubs in the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.)

With the Sabres, Nolan is joining a squad that will be without a couple of its top players from previous seasons. Centre Dale Hawerchuk signed on as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues while high-scoring right winger Alexander Mogilny was traded to the Vancouver Canucks.

"It's going to be a transition year," Nolan said. "The organization has let it be known that it wants to go with a youth movement. Part of that is reflected through the hiring of a youthful coach. Hopefully, we can all grow together."

Muckler was undoubtedly enthused with the man he selected to lead the Buffalo bench this season.

"We are very pleased to bring Ted Nolan into the Sabres' organization as our head coach," he said. "He will bring many great qualities to our club, including a strength in the areas of motivation and working with young players."