Nathan is a lifelong Spruce Grove resident and while his professional hockey career took him to different corners of the world, he always managed to find his way back home between seasons. 

Nathan played local minor hockey in Spruce Grove, but he had his sights on bigger rinks.

In 1991 he made his professional debut with the WHL’s Regina Pats and in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft he was selected in the 11th round, 245th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nathan spent the majority of his professional career with the AHL’s St John’s Maple Leafs where he was captain for five seasons and a three-time All Star Game player.

His most successful season was with St John’s in 2001–02 when he scored 61 points in 75 games and won the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award which honours the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey.

Nathan played over 850 games in the WHL, AHL, and the NHL with teams in Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston. He also spent the 2004 NLH lockout with the German team, Eisbären Berlin, before returning to the Los Angeles Kings for the 2005–06 season. And, in 2007, Nathan signed with Swiss team, SC Bern, for his last professional season before retiring in 2008.

At the age of 37 Nathan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and later underwent deep brain stimulation surgery to help alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

While his professional hockey career is behind him, he’s never far from the ice.

Nathan is passionate about giving back to his community and his sport – he has coached local hockey, started a summer hockey school and dedicates time to raising awareness for Parkinson’s including speaking at conferences and taking part in hockey charity events.

He leads the hockey program at the Vimy Ridge Academy in Edmonton where he is a role model and leader for his students.

Nathan lives in Spruce Grove with his wife Trisha and two children.