Bernie Nicholls, a Canadian-born center, began his professional hockey journey when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Nicholls quickly demonstrated his scoring prowess, making his NHL debut with the Kings during the 1981-82 season. His ability to find the back of the net became evident as he scored 14 goals in just 22 games that season.
Nicholls' offensive skills continued to flourish with the Kings. During the 1984-85 season, he scored 46 goals and added 41 assists, marking his first 40-goal season. His knack for scoring and playmaking made him a valuable asset to the team. Nicholls' most remarkable season came in 1988-89 when he achieved a personal best of 70 goals and 80 assists, totaling 150 points. This outstanding performance placed him among the league's top scorers and earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game.
In January 1992, Nicholls was traded to the New York Rangers, where he continued to be a productive player. His tenure with the Rangers was relatively short, as he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in March 1993. Nicholls' time with the Oilers was brief, and he soon found himself on the move again, this time to the New Jersey Devils in August 1993.
With the Devils, Nicholls adapted to a more defensive style of play, which was a hallmark of the team during that era. Despite the shift in focus, he remained an effective player, contributing both offensively and defensively. Nicholls played a crucial role in helping the Devils reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994.
In 1994, Nicholls signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he continued to be a reliable center. His experience and leadership were valuable assets to the team. Nicholls spent three seasons with the Blackhawks before joining the San Jose Sharks in 1997. With the Sharks, he provided veteran leadership and contributed to the team's offensive efforts.
Nicholls concluded his NHL career with the Sharks, retiring after the 1998-99 season. Over his 18-year career, he played in 1,127 regular-season games, scoring 475 goals and 734 assists for a total of 1,209 points. Nicholls also appeared in 118 playoff games, adding 42 goals and 71 assists.
🏒