Nolan began his career with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2005–06, scoring just three goals in 33 games.

The following year Nolan would put up 23 goals and 25 assists in 49 games for the Greyhounds before joining the Ontario Reign of the ECHL to finish off his junior career.

He spent the next two seasons with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he totaled 14 goals and 39 points in 115 games.

[7] Having left the Sabres as a free agent after just one season, Nolan agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 5, 2018 where he won his 3rd Stanley Cup.

[8] He returned to the Blues on a one-year extension, and spent the entire 2019–20 season playing with their minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, for whom he served as Captain before again becoming an unrestricted free agent.

[9] In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Nolan played 2 games with Wilkes-Barre as an alternate captain, registering 1 assist, before he mutually agreed to part ways with the Penguins on March 6, 2021.

[10] On October 12, 2021, Nolan joined the Los Angeles Kings front office staff, signaling the end of his playing career.

In an unprovoked attack,[14] Nolan punched Mahalak twice in the face, giving him a concussion as he fell to the ice and struck his head.

[14] "They believed it was vicious enough for a 20-game suspension and they felt it was fortunate the player (Mahalak) wasn't hurt more severely", said Greyhounds' general manager Dave Torrie.

On March 24, 2013, Nolan was fined $1,436.94 by the league for a cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks' forward and captain Henrik Sedin.

[16] Nolan was assessed a double-minor for the incident and was scheduled for a disciplinary hearing with NHL Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan the following day.