Baumgartner retires, joins Wolves staff

The Chicago Wolves, in conjunction with the Vancouver Canucks, have named Nolan Baumgartner assistant coach.

Baumgartner wrapped up his 16-year professional career last season by sharing first among team defensemen with 20 assists and second among team blueliners with 22 points in 60 games with the Wolves. He also served as Chicago’s captain last year and tallied two assists and a plus-3 rating in five Calder Cup playoff outings.

“Nolan is one of the ultimate professionals in the hockey world,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young. “He was very well-respected by his teammates during his playing career and I witnessed first-hand last year the players in our room follow his actions. He is a natural leader and a welcome addition to our coaching staff and will be an excellent complement to new head coach Scott Arniel.”

The 36-year-old Baumgartner tallied 83 goals, 307 assists, 390 points and 815 penalty minutes in 878 career American Hockey League contests with the Portland Pirates, Norfolk Admirals, Manitoba Moose, Philadelphia Phantoms, Iowa Stars and the Wolves. He also accrued 29 points (4g, 25a) and 85 penalty minutes in 86 career Calder Cup Playoff outings, which included an appearance in the 2009 Calder Cup finals as a member of the Manitoba Moose.

Baumgartner ranks 18th in AHL history in games played (878), including sixth all-time among defensemen.

The Calgary, Alta., native also posted 40 assists, 47 points and 67 penalty minutes in 143 career National Hockey League outings with the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars.

Baumgartner, a first-round draft choice (10th overall) by Washington in 1994, appeared in three AHL All-Star Classics and was selected an All-Star playing captain in 2010.