Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Brady Nicholas Named SJHL ‘Rookie of the Month’ For January

Brady Nicholas prepares for a faceoff against the Weyburn Red Wings on January 17th. PHOTO - Durr Photography

The Estevan Bruins were one of the top teams in the league throughout the month of January, with multiple players seeing their individual stats spike as the calendar flipped to 2020.

Now one member of the team is being recognized for his play on the ice, as forward Brady Nicholas has been named as the SJHL’s ‘Rookie-of-the-Month’ for January.

Nicholas has been a consistent, key contributor to the Bruins since being acquired in late-September, scoring in his first game against Humboldt at the SJHL Showcase in Warman.

After being put on a line with fellow St. Albert product Eddie Gallagher (and a rotation of wingers including Erik Boers, Cody Davis and Dain Sardelli), Nicholas has started producing offensively at a higher rate while also seeing plenty of time on the powerplay. Along with his strong ability in the faceoff dot and his aggressive, physical play, Nicholas has been developing as one of the team’s top all-around forwards.

In January, Nicholas tallied 14 points (6G, 8A) in 12 games while being held off the scoresheet only 3 times during the month. Nicholas also dropped the gloves in what might be the league’s ‘Fight of the Year’ against Melville on January 4th.

For the season, Nicholas has 23 points (11G, 22A) in 33 games which puts the 2001-born centerman in 12th overall among SJHL rookie scorers, and 4th on the Bruins behind Griffin Asham-Moroz (35 points in 44 games), Tyler Savage (28 points in 40 games), and Troy Hamilton (25 points in 36 games).

The Bruins will continue to rely on Nicholas and his fellow rookie teammates down the stretch in February as the team looks to secure a playoff spot. The Bruins’ next three games are at home at Affinity Place, starting when the Nipawin Hawks visit Estevan on Wednesday, February 5th at 7:00pm.