A standout two-way defenseman and a respected leader on and off the ice, Nolan Baumgartner spent most of his 16-year pro career in the American Hockey League, playing nearly 900 games between 1996 and 2012.
Baumgartner was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 1994 NHL Draft and skated with the Portland Pirates for four years before being acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000.
After two seasons spent primarily with the Norfolk Admirals, Baumgartner joined the Vancouver organization and began a long association with the Manitoba Moose, then the Canucks’ AHL affiliate. On November 17, 2004, Baumgartner scored the first-ever goal at the MTS Centre, the Moose’s sparkling new arena in downtown Winnipeg.
Baumgartner made stops with the Flyers and Stars organizations before returning to the Moose in 2008. He set a career high in goals during the 2008-09 season and helped Manitoba reach the Calder Cup Finals, and he earned his third trip to the AHL All-Star Classic in 2010, this time serving as captain for the Canadian side, before finishing his playing career with the Chicago Wolves.
Baumgartner ranks sixth in AHL history in games played by a defenseman, and is among the top 20 in goals, assists and points.