A former captain of the Estevan Bruins has won a prestigious award in the NCAA.
Defenceman Nolan Nicholas, who has wrapped up his fourth and final season with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Seawolves, has been selected as the 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s hockey coaches, national hockey media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s hockey.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be in their senior year and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.
“To even appear on a list with such committed students, talented hockey players, and exceptional citizens is truly humbling,” said Nicholas, who served as a team captain and played in all 36 games during the 2019-20 season. “I truly tried every day to put everything I could into my experience as a University of Alaska Anchorage student-athlete.
“The opportunity gave me lessons in determination, perseverance, dedication and teamwork that I will carry for the rest of my life. The experience of playing the game I love, in a place I never in a million years thought I’d ever call home, all while receiving a first-class education, has profoundly impacted me.
“The support I received along the way from coaches, teammates, friends and family has been instrumental in this achievement, and I am forever indebted.”
Nicholas, 24, hails from Thunder Bay, Ont. He joined the Bruins for the 2013-14 season and quickly became a fan favourite with his physical play and work ethic. He had four goals and 23 points in 95 games in his two seasons with the Bruins.
He was also named the team’s captain for the 2014-15 season as a second-year player.
Nicholas joined the Sioux Falls Stampede of the U.S. Hockey League for his final season of junior hockey, and parlayed his performance with the Stampede into an NCAA scholarship.
Nicholas’ impact with the Seawolves was made immediately after arriving on campus. As a freshman, he led Alaska Anchorage with 57 blocked shots in 29 games and earned the team’s Dean Larson Rookie of the Year Award. His accomplishments in the rink grew as Nicholas was named an alternate captain for both his sophomore and junior seasons while earning a spot on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic Team. He was also named a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American in 2018-19.
As a senior, Nicholas recorded a team-high 63 blocks and was one of just three players to skate in all 36 games.
“A truly special young man, Nolan exemplifies the best in what it means to be a student-athlete and is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said head coach Matt Curley. “Representing our school, program, himself and his family with the utmost integrity, he embodies everything this award represents on and off the ice.
“The meaning of community, classroom, character and competition cannot be defined without making mention of the characteristics and values Nolan possesses. It has been my honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him the past few years and I am proud to see him earn this recognition.”
Nicholas’ 3.84 cumulative grade-point-average exemplifies his dedication and commitment to his criminal justice major and legal studies minor. Enduring long road trips that span thousands of miles from Anchorage, Nicholas was able to excel in the classroom while also displaying his team captain traits both on and off the ice.
Community outreach programs are also an area where Nicholas prides himself. As a member of the on-campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, he helps improve the well-being of his fellow student athletes. He also served as an ambassador for the University of Alaska Anchorage and is an acting representative for the Athletics Expedited Review Committee.
Off campus, Nicholas participates in volunteer events in conjunction with UAA hockey and other youth initiatives to help educate the next generation of hockey fans throughout the community.
“Nolan’s ability to excel in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community should not go unnoticed,” said Erik Miner, executive director of the Senior CLASS Award. “He is a well-rounded ambassador and displays and a daily basis what the Senior CLASS Award represents. His hard work and determination for pursuing excellence are traits that will propel him toward a successful future.
“We are proud to congratulate Nolan Nicholas and the University of Alaska Anchorage for winning this award.”
Nicholas is the first student-athlete from the University of Alaska Anchorage to win the Senior CLASS Award.
