Former San Jose Sharks team captain Owen Nolan, a San Jose resident and one of the most successful players in franchise history, announced his retirement today after 18 seasons in the National Hockey League.

Nolan was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1990 before he was acquired by the San Jose Sharks in 1995. He went on to play 568 games for the Sharks and posted 451 points (206 goals, 245 assists).

When he left the Sharks in 2003 to join the Toronto Maple Leafs he was the franchise leader in goals, assists, points, power play goals, shorthanded goals, shots, and hat tricks, and was second all-time in penalty minutes and games played.

He currently ranks third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list in games played, points and assists, second in goals, power play goals, penalty minutes and T-first in shorthanded goals.

“I was very lucky to be able to play 18 seasons in the National Hockey League,” said Nolan in a release.  “I want to thank all of my teammates over those years, along with my friends and family.  I also want to thank Doug Wilson and the San Jose Sharks for allowing me the opportunity to step away from the game as a member of the Sharks family.”

Nolan stayed with the Maple Leafs through the 2003-04 season. After the labor dispute of 2004-05, he took a year off before returning to play for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006-07. Ironically, he played his 1,000th NHL game against the Sharks with the Calgary Flames in the 2007-08 season. The Sharks knocked the Flames out of the Western Conference Quarterfinals later that year. His final two seasons were with the Minnesota wild.

Nolan appeared in 65 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Quebec, San Jose, Toronto and Calgary, collecting 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists).

“Owen Nolan was a dominating player on the ice and remains an important member of the history of the San Jose Sharks franchise,” said Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson in a statement.  “We feel that it is only fitting that he announces the conclusion of a great career as a member of the Sharks family.  We congratulate Owen, along with his wife, Diana, and their family, on a remarkable career.”