Heading into his 15-year, former Washington Capitals 2nd round pick in the 1999 draft (#37 overall) defenseman Nolan Yonkman(38) signs his first one-year deal to play pro hockey overseas with JYP of the Finnish elite league SM-liiga.
The absolute huge 6’6″ 250 lbs. blue liner was on a one-year minor league contract last season with Adirondack Flames, serving as captain, the sixth time in his career he’d led a team.
He’s amassed a ridiculous 733 AHL games played with 6 different farm clubs and last skated an NHL game in 2013, while under contract with Anaheim Ducks.
He recorded an assist in his second of two appearances.
The 34-year managed to still play almost a full slate of contests in 2014/2015 and although he may have reduced the number of scraps he gets into, he will always be the first to stick up for a teammate and drop the gloves if necessary.
See related: 10/6-13