Bernie Nicholls
Encyclopedia
Bernard Irvine Nicholls (born June 24, 1961) is a former professional ice hockey
centre
. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians
, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings
in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft
, 73rd overall. Over his 17 year playing career, Nicholls would play 1127 games for The Los Angeles Kings
, New York Rangers
, Edmonton Oilers
, New Jersey Devils
, Chicago Blackhawks
and San Jose Sharks
, scoring 1209 points. He is one of only 8 players in NHL history to score 70 goals in one season, and one of 5 to score 150 points.
of the AHL
. He scored 41 goals in 55 games as a rookie
, and was recalled to the Kings to finish the season, where he had 32 points in 22 games, and was a contributor in the playoffs, where the Kings upset the Edmonton Oilers
to reach the second round. Nicholls would never again play in the minor leagues.
For the next six-and-a-half years, Nicholls was a key offensive talent for the Kings, with his best year (70 goals and 80 assists for 150 points in 79 games played) coming in 1988–89 after the team's acquisition of Wayne Gretzky
. During that season, he became one of only 12 players to ever record an eight-point game in NHL history. However, with Stanley Cup
aspirations, the Kings made the decision to trade the star centre for a pair of wingers
. Nicholls joined the New York Rangers
, helping to propel his new club to the second round of the playoffs.
Although Nicholls performed well for the Rangers, he was dealt after less than two full seasons to the Oilers, as part of a blockbuster deal that saw Mark Messier
join the Rangers. After just over a year with the Oilers organization, Nicholls saw himself traded again, this time to the New Jersey Devils
, as Edmonton attempted to rebuild their team.
Nicholls adapted his game to become more of a defensive forward in the tight-checking system of then-Devils coach Jacques Lemaire
. When his contract expired, Nicholls signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks
, where he was allowed to take more offensive liberties. He averaged better than a point-per-game in Chicago.
Nicholls finished his NHL
career with the San Jose Sharks
. At the age of 36, and with a budding, young franchise, Nicholls took on more of an elder statesman role. At the end of the 1998–99 NHL season, Nicholls retired.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians
Kingston Canadians
The Kingston Canadians were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1973 to 1988. The team played home games at the Kingston Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft
1980 NHL Entry Draft
The 1980 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum. This was the first time that an NHL arena hosted the draft. The National Hockey League teams selected 210 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1979–80 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the...
, 73rd overall. Over his 17 year playing career, Nicholls would play 1127 games for The Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, scoring 1209 points. He is one of only 8 players in NHL history to score 70 goals in one season, and one of 5 to score 150 points.
Playing career
After Nicholls was drafted, he played one more year of junior before making his professional debut with the New Haven NighthawksNew Haven Nighthawks
The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. He scored 41 goals in 55 games as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
, and was recalled to the Kings to finish the season, where he had 32 points in 22 games, and was a contributor in the playoffs, where the Kings upset the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
to reach the second round. Nicholls would never again play in the minor leagues.
For the next six-and-a-half years, Nicholls was a key offensive talent for the Kings, with his best year (70 goals and 80 assists for 150 points in 79 games played) coming in 1988–89 after the team's acquisition of Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
. During that season, he became one of only 12 players to ever record an eight-point game in NHL history. However, with Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
aspirations, the Kings made the decision to trade the star centre for a pair of wingers
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
. Nicholls joined the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, helping to propel his new club to the second round of the playoffs.
Although Nicholls performed well for the Rangers, he was dealt after less than two full seasons to the Oilers, as part of a blockbuster deal that saw Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
join the Rangers. After just over a year with the Oilers organization, Nicholls saw himself traded again, this time to the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, as Edmonton attempted to rebuild their team.
Nicholls adapted his game to become more of a defensive forward in the tight-checking system of then-Devils coach Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
. When his contract expired, Nicholls signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, where he was allowed to take more offensive liberties. He averaged better than a point-per-game in Chicago.
Nicholls finished his NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
career with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. At the age of 36, and with a budding, young franchise, Nicholls took on more of an elder statesman role. At the end of the 1998–99 NHL season, Nicholls retired.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1978–79 | Kingston Canadians Kingston Canadians The Kingston Canadians were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1973 to 1988. The team played home games at the Kingston Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.-History:... |
OMJHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Kingston Canadians | OMJHL | 68 | 36 | 43 | 79 | 85 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 1980–81 | Kingston Canadians | OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
65 | 63 | 89 | 152 | 109 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 17 | ||
| 1981–82 1981–82 AHL season The 1981–82 AHL season was the 46th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The New Brunswick Hawks finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
55 | 41 | 30 | 71 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
22 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 23 | ||
| 1982–83 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 71 | 28 | 22 | 50 | 124 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 78 | 41 | 54 | 95 | 83 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 46 | 54 | 100 | 76 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | ||
| 1985–86 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 36 | 61 | 97 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 33 | 48 | 81 | 101 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 1987–88 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 65 | 32 | 46 | 78 | 114 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 11 | ||
| 1988–89 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 79 | 70 | 80 | 150 | 96 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 12 | ||
| 1989–90 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 47 | 27 | 48 | 75 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 32 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 16 | ||
| 1990–91 | New York Rangers | NHL | 71 | 25 | 48 | 73 | 96 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 1991–92 | New York Rangers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 49 | 20 | 29 | 49 | 60 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 25 | ||
| 1992–93 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 46 | 8 | 32 | 40 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 23 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1993–94 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 61 | 19 | 27 | 46 | 86 | 16 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 28 | ||
| 1994–95 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL | 48 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 32 | 16 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 8 | ||
| 1995–96 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 59 | 19 | 41 | 60 | 60 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 65 | 12 | 33 | 45 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 60 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 1998–99 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| OHL/OMJHL totals | 135 | 99 | 133 | 232 | 194 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 27 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1127 | 475 | 734 | 1209 | 1292 | 118 | 42 | 72 | 114 | 164 | ||||
Transactions
- January 20, 1990- Traded by the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
to the New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in exchange for Tomas SandstromTomas SandströmTomas Sandström is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League from 1984 to 1999. He grew up in Fagersta, Sweden....
and Tony GranatoTony GranatoAnthony Lewis Granato is an American retired National Hockey League left winger and a former head coach and assistant coach of the Colorado Avalanche...
.
- October 4, 1991- Traded by the New York Rangers, along with Steven RiceSteven RiceSteven Rice is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1990s.Rice was drafted 20th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft...
and Louie DeBruskLouie DeBruskDennis Louis DeBrusk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. DeBrusk played 401 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks after being drafted from the London Knights. DeBrusk was renowned for his fighting skills and racked up 1161...
, to the Edmonton OilersEdmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in exchange for Mark MessierMark MessierMark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
and future considerations
- January 13, 1993- Traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Zdeno CigerZdeno CígerZdeno Cíger is a retired Slovak professional hockey player who played for the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Zdeno Cíger was drafted 54th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils as their 3rd choice...
and Kevin ToddKevin ToddKevin Todd is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Todd started his National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils in 1989. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...
.
- July 14, 1994- Signed as a free agent with the Chicago BlackhawksChicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
- August 5, 1996- Signed as a free agent with San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.