Right-winger Simon Nolet enjoyed a solid NHL career than spanned nearly 600 games in parts of ten seasons. He was a fine puck handler who could supply offense, but he was also capable of killing penalties and shadowing the top scorers on the opposition.
The native of St. Odilon, Quebec played junior with the Quebec Citadelles before heading to the Nova Scotia Senior league to suit up for the Windsor Maple Leafs and Moncton Hawks. Nolet began his pro career in the AHL with the Quebec Aces who were purchased by the expansion Philadelphia Flyers on May 8, 1967. Nolet played four games in Philly in 1967-68 and was a top goal scorer for the Aces with 32- and 44-goal performances. After scoring 96 points to lead the league in 1967-68, he was named to the AHL second all-star team.
Nolet gradually carved a place for himself in the Flyers' plans in the late 60s. He scored 23 goals in 1971-72 and was a fine two-way pivot when the Flyers became competitive in the early 1970s. The crafty forward played 15 games for the club in the 1974 playoffs when the won the Stanley Cup.
After Philadelphia acquired right-winger Reggie Leach in May, 1974, Nolet was left unprotected in the expansion draft. He was claimed by the Kansas City Scouts and named the first captain in franchise history. Fittingly, Nolet scored the club's first regular season goal at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. He scored 26 goals that year and was off to a solid start the next season when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nolet played solidly for the Pens on a line with Ron Schock and Vic Hadfield then was reacquired by the relocated Colorado franchise. His return came about after being named the compensation for the Penguins' signing of free agent goalie Denis Heron. Nolet retired after scoring 31 points for the Rockies in 1976-77. After his playing career ended, Nolet worked as a scout for the Quebec Nordiques for two years then was hired as an assistant to Quebec Nordiques coach Michel Bergeron in 1982.
