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| 1980 NHL DRAFT PICK |
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Bernie Nicholls
Selected in
fourth round
No. 73 overall by Los Angeles Kings
Born
June 24, 1961
 | Position:
Center
Height: 6-0 Weight: 180
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| BEFORE THE DRAFT |
Last Team:
Kingston (OMJHL)
Birthplace: Haliburton, Ontario (Canada)
Hometown:
West Guilford, Ontario |
 |
 |
|
| PRE-DRAFT
STATISTICS | | Year |
Team | League |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1977-78 |
Woodbridge | Jr. B |
-- | -- |
-- | -- |
-- | | 1978-79 |
North York | OPJHL |
50 | 40 |
62 | 102 |
60 | | |
Kingston | OMJHL |
2 | 0 |
1 | 1 |
0 | | 1979-80 |
Kingston | OMJHL |
68 | 36 |
43 | 79 |
85 |
|
PRE-DRAFT AWARDS AND HONORS
Miscellaneous: Was Kingston's eighth pick in 1978 OMJHL midget draft. ...
Worked on his father's trapping compound in Haliburton, Ontario, area during
off-seasons of his junior playing days. ... Grew up a New York Islanders fan
and idolized Bryan Trottier as a teen-ager. ... Attended Haliburton Highlands
Secondary School. |
| NHL CAREER |
Debut: November 19, 1981 (Los Angeles at
Calgary)
Numbers: 10, 9 (Los Angeles); 9
(NYR); 9 (Edmonton); 19, 9 (N.J.); 92 (Chicago); 9 (San Jose)
Stanley Cup: Never won.
Status: Retired November 23, 1998 |
| CAREER NHL STATISTICS |
| Years | Teams |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1981-1998 |
L.A., NYR, Edm.,
N.J., Chicago, S.J. | 1,127 |
475 | 734 |
1,209 | 1,292 |
|
| CAREER NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS |
| Years | Teams |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1982-1998 |
L.A., NYR, Edm.,
N.J., Chicago, S.J. | 118 |
42 | 72 |
114 | 164 |
|
NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
All-Star Game: 1984, 1989 (Los Angeles), 1990 (N.Y. Rangers)
Los Angeles Rookie of Year: 1982-83
L.A. Top Scorer Award (Points Lead): 1983-84 (95), 1985-86 (97)
Los Angeles Most Popular Player: 1983-84
Los Angeles Records: Most goals in one season (70 in 1988-89), most points in one game (8 vs.
Toronto on Dec. 1, 1988), most assists in one game (6 vs. Toronto on Dec. 1,
1988, shares record), most goals in a game (4 vs. Edmonton on Oct. 20, 1983 and at
Quebec on Nov. 13, 1984, shares
record), most consecutive games with at least one point (25 from Oct. 16,
1984, to Dec. 10, 1984, shares record), most shots on goal in a season (385 in
1988-89), most shots on goal in one game (13 vs. Edmonton on Jan. 28, 1989),
most shorthanded goals in a season (8 in 1988-89), fastest 30 goals (26 games
in 1988-89), fastest 20 goals (19 games in 1988-89, shares record), fastest 50
goals (51 games in 1988-89, shares record), most points vs. one opponent in
one season (19 vs. Edmonton in 1988-89, shares record)
Edmonton Records:
Most power-play goals in one playoff series (4 vs. Los Angeles in 1992, shares
record)
Chicago Records:
Most power-play goals in one game (3 at Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 1995, shares
record)
100-Point Seasons: 1984-85 (L.A.) (100), 1988-89 (L.A.) (150)
50-Goal Seasons: 1988-89 (Los Angeles) (70)
L.A. Goals Leader:
1984-85 (46, tie), 1985-86 (36, tie), 1988-89 (70)
Los Angeles Assists
Leader: 1983-84 (54), 1985-86 (61)
Los Angeles Playoffs Points Leader: 1987 (7), 1988 (8, tie)
Los Angeles
Playoffs Goals Leader: 1989 (7)
Los Angeles Playoffs Assists Leader: 1987 (5), 1988 (6)
Los Angeles
Playoffs Penalty-Minutes Leader: 1985 (9)
N.Y. Rangers Playoffs
Points Leader: 1990 (12), 1991 (7)
N.Y. Rangers Playoffs Goals
Leader: 1990 (7), 1991 (4)
N.Y. Rangers Playoffs Assists Leader:
1991 (3, tie)
Edmonton Assists Leader: 1992-93 (32)
Edmonton
Playoffs Goals Leader: 1992 (8, tie)
Chicago Points Leader: 1995
(51)
Chicago Playoffs Assists Leader: 1995 (11, tie), 1996 (7, tie)
San Jose Playoffs Points Leader: 1998 (5, tie)
San Jose Playoffs
Assists
Leader: 1998 (5)
Coaching
Career: Named San Jose assistant coach in November 1998 and remained in
that position until August 1999.
Broadcasting Career: Served as daily guest analyst on The Ticket 1050
AM radio coverage of San Jose's 1998 playoff run
Miscellaneous: Was leading AHL with 41 goals for New Haven when he was
called up to Los Angeles for good on Feb. 18, 1982. ... Played on line with
Steve Bozek and Doug Smith for Los Angeles in 1981-82. ... Became famous
during his early NHL playing days for his "Pumper Nicholl" goal-scoring
celebration, in which he would punch the air with his glove. ... A longtime
Islanders fan before entering the NHL, Nicholls asked for Bryan Trottier and
Mike Bossy to give him their sticks after playing against them for the first
time. ... Became first player
in Los Angeles history to score back-to-back hat tricks when he achieved feat
against Calgary and Pittsburgh on March 17, 1982, and March 20, 1982. ...
Scored 15 goals in first 14 games of 1982-83 season. ... Missed part of
1982-83 season with torn MCL in right knee, an injury suffered when he was hit
by Willie Huber during Los Angeles' Nov. 18, 1982, game vs. Detroit. ...
Played on line with Jim Fox and Brian MacLellan for Los Angeles in 1983-84.
... Set Los Angeles record (since broken) for most points in one game with six
vs. Edmonton on Oct. 20, 1983. ... Missed part of 1983-84 season with broken jaw, an injury suffered during
Los Angeles' Jan. 27, 1984, game at Calgary. The injury required him to play
with his jaw wired shut for remainder of the 1983-84 season. He lost 13 pounds
during that time period. ... Named NHL Player of Week for week ending March
22, 1987. ... Missed part of 1987-88 season with broken left index finger
(broken in three places), an injury suffered during Los Angeles' Oct. 10,
1987, game vs. St. Louis. ... Suspended by NHL for five games during 1987-88
season as a result of receiving match penalty for high sticking Ulf Samulesson
during Los Angeles' March 9, 1988, game at Hartford. The incident took place
at 11:37 of the first period, when Nicholls retaliated against Samuelsson for
earlier hits to the head. The NHL announced the suspension on March 11, 1988.
Los Angeles appealed the suspension, giving Nicholls a seven-day grace period
that allowed him to play in two more games before the suspension took effect
on March 18, 1988. Nicholls returned to action on April 1, 1988. ... Tied Los
Angeles record (since broken) for most points in one game with six at Buffalo
on Nov. 22, 1987. ... Was only
Los Angeles player to score a regular-season overtime goal in 1987-88,
achieving feat on Jan. 21, 988, at Calgary. ... Set Los Angeles single-season
record (since broken) for shorthanded goals with seven in 1987-88. ... Scored
in 10 consecutive games for Los Angeles from Nov. 2, 1988, until Nov. 23,
1988. ... Became fifth player in NHL
history (along with Phil Esposito, Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Mario Lemieux)
to score 70 goals in a season when he achieved feat in 1988-89. ... Became
fifth player in NHL history (along with Phil Esposito, Wayne Gretzky, Mario
Lemieux and Steve Yzerman) to score 150 points in a season when he achieved
feat in 1988-89. ... Played in 1990 NHL All-Star Game one day after being traded
from Los Angeles to N.Y. Rangers. ... Set NHL record for most points by a
player traded in midseason, when he combined for 112 with Los Angeles and N.Y.
Rangers in 1989-90. ... Missed part of 1990-91 season with
separated left shoulder, an injury suffered during N.Y. Rangers' Jan. 22,
1991, game at N.Y. Islanders. ... Suspended by NHL for three games during
1990-91 season for swinging stick at J.J. Daigneault during N.Y. Rangers' Feb.
9, 1991, game vs. Montreal. The NHL determined that Nicholls had deliberately
swung a stick at Daigneault's bare hand after Daigneault dropped his gloves to
fight, and that Nicholls' stick had deflected off the hand and hit Daigneault
in the back of the helmet. The suspension was announced on Feb. 14, 1991, and
the Rangers appealed, giving Nicholls a seven-day grace period. He began
serving the suspension on Feb. 21, 1991, and returned to the lineup on Feb.
27, 1991. ... Missed end of 1991 playoffs with foot injury, suffered during
Game 5 of N.Y. Rangers' first-round series vs. Washington on April 11, 1991.
... Missed part of 1991-92 season with strained abdominal muscle, an injury
suffered during Edmonton's Feb. 16, 1992, game at Toronto. ... Suspended by
NHL for seven off-days without pay (a total of $10,143) and fined $500 for swinging stick
into Darren Banks' chest as the two squared off to fight during Edmonton's
Sept. 28, 1992, preseason game vs. Boston in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Nicholls
claimed the slash was in retaliation for a cross-check to the back of his
head, but the NHL did not agree, and ordered the suspension on Oct. 13, 1992. ... Missed part of 1992-93 season with broken
left foot, an injury originally suffered during New Jersey's Feb. 14, 1993,
game at Philadelphia. He played with the injury up through New Jersey's Feb.
27, 1993, game vs. Ottawa before being forced out of lineup due to pain. Did not return to action until March 27, 1993, game at Washington. ...
Recorded his 1,000th NHL point (a goal) during New Jersey's Feb. 13, 1994,
game at Tampa Bay. ... Missed parts of 1993-94 season with sprained left knee,
an injury suffered during New Jersey's Dec. 4, 1993, game vs. Chicago, and
with hand injury, suffered during New Jersey's April 10, 1994, game at
Florida. ... Missed part of 1994 playoffs with sprained left knee, an injury
suffered during Game 3 of New Jersey's first-round series at Buffalo on April
21, 1994. ... Suspended one game by NHL during 1994 playoffs for
cross-checking Alexei Kovalev in back of neck during Game 3 of New Jersey's
Eastern Conference finals series vs. N.Y. Rangers on May 19, 1994. ... Became
first Chicago player other than Bobby Hull to have two four-goal games in the
same season when he achieved feat in 1995. ... Missed part of 1995-96 season
with lacerated spleen, an injury suffered during Chicago's Nov. 5, 1995, game
vs. Colorado. He did not return to action until Chicago's Dec. 28, 1995, game
vs. Winnipeg. ... Lost his infant son Jack to Down's Syndrome in 1996. San
Jose management responded by setting up the Nickels for Nicholls pledge drive
in which Sharks fans were encouraged to donate their nickels to help raise
money for Special Olympics, which works with Down's Syndrome patients. ... Played in his 1,000th NHL game for San Jose vs. St. Louis on
Oct. 20, 1996. ... Suspended by NHL for two games and fined $1,000 during
1996-97 season for cross-checking Ed Jovanovski in the face during overtime of
San Jose's Feb. 25, 1997, game at Florida. He received a match penalty on the
play, and the suspension took effect on Feb. 28, 1997. ... Missed final 15
games of 1996-97 season with hernia, requiring surgery on March 15, 1997. ...
Missed part of 1997-98 season with broken thumb, an injury suffered during San
Jose's Nov. 10, 1997, game at Anaheim. He did not return to action until San
Jose's Dec. 10, 1997, game vs. Washington. ... Voted San Jose Pacific Bell
Play of Year Award by Anaheim fans for 1997-98 season in recognition of
crushing, open-ice hit on Chris Tancill during San Jose's March 18, 1998, game
vs. Dallas. ... Won NHL Norelco Face-Off Award for April 1998, when he led NHL
in faceoff winning percentage for the month (63.0%). ... Missed part of
1998-99 season with eye injury, suffered during San Jose's Oct. 29, 1998, game
at Colorado.
Standing By His Woman: Nicholls found himself at the center of a
controversy after he was traded by N.Y. Rangers to Edmonton as part of the
Oct. 4, 1991, deal that brought Mark Messier to New York. Nicholls, the
biggest veteran name on the Rangers' end of the trade, immediately declared
that he would never report to any team in Canada, and certainly not while his
wife, Heather, was bedridden and expecting twins. The Rangers refused to honor
Nicholls' wishes that he be left out of the deal, setting off a controversy
that Nicholls' fueled by making further statements that he would not play for
a rebuilding team and would not play in Canada. He also felt the Rangers could
easily substitute another player in the deal, and was concerned that he would
become trade bait once again if he went to Edmonton. Nicholls began a holdout
against reporting to Edmonton and was suspended by the Oilers for failing to
join the team. The suspension would cost him roughly $9,000 of his $700,000
salary for each missed game. Nicholls then indicated he would go to Edmonton
if they gave him a big raise over his current contract, while also saying that
he hoped Edmonton might trade him back to Los Angeles. Nicholls said his
pregnant wife was particularly interested in seeing him earn Messier's former
salary (more than $1.1 million in Canadian funds), and that if he was given
this money, she would agree to move to Edmonton. Heather Nicholls was due to
give birth to twins on Dec. 14, 1991, but had been having trouble with the
pregnancy and Nicholls said there was no way he would leave her side until the
babies were born. Nicholls and his wife had been trying to have children for
five years and had even lost out in two efforts to adopt, when the babies'
mothers changed their minds at the last minute and withheld the children from
planned adoptions. Nicholls therefore feared anything that might disrupt the
pregnancy. On Nov. 29, 1991, Heather Nicholls gave birth to a baby boy and
girl, clearing the way for her husband to join the Oilers with no changes to
his contract. Elated at the birth of his children, Nicholls announced his
intention to play for Edmonton on Dec. 1, 1991, after having forfeited over
$200,000 in salary during his holdout. He was removed from the Edmonton
suspension list and reported to the Oilers in time for a Dec. 6, 1991, game at
Winnipeg, but did not make his Edmonton debut until a Dec. 10, 1991, game at
Vancouver. Nicholls was widely praised for putting his career in jeopardy so
he could stick by his wife. |
| NON-NHL CAREER |
Post-Draft Teams: Kingston (OMJHL); New Haven
(AHL)
World Championships: 1985 (silver medal)
NON-NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
OMJHL All-Star Game: 1981 (Kingston)
Kingston Molson Cup Award (Three-Stars Leader): 1980-81
Management
Career: Invested in New Mexico (WPHL) team with Joe Murphy and baseball
pitcher John Wetteland prior to team's inaugural 1996-97 season and held stake
in team through 2000-01 season.
Broadcasting Career: Served as guest host on San Jose's KNBR sports-talk
radio during summer of 1998.
Miscellaneous: Shared home in
Hollywood Hills with horse-racing jockey Kenny Black during the 1982-83 and
1983-84 seasons. ... Owned restaurant in West Guilford, Ontario, during his
early playing days. ... Owned three race horses during his playing days. ...
An outstanding golfer during playing days, he had a three handicap by the
time he retired and competed in first Celebrity Players Tour event on weekend of
July 4, 1997, at Lake Tahoe. ... Played pro-am tournament at PGA's
September 1998 Ganter Golf Challenge. ... Taught at hockey
school in Haliburton, Ontario, during off-seasons of his playing days. ...
Played shortstop on Los Angeles' off-season charity softball team. ... Named
MVP of 1982 NHL/Molson Slo-Pitch softball classic, as Kings won championship. ... Remained in San Jose after retirement and continued
playing golf on the Celebrity Players Tour, winning nearly $90,000 through
2002 with a tie for eighth at 2002 John Elway Celebrity Classic. ...
Became active in Oldtimers' charity hockey after his retirement, including
stints with San Jose Alumni team.
Personal: Nicknamed "The Pumper
Nicholl Kid." ... Full name is Bernie Irvine Nicholls. |
| HOW HE GOT AWAY |
| TRADE: Los Angeles traded Nicholls to N.Y.
Rangers in exchange for Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato on January 20, 1990. |
|
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|
SNAPSHOT '80 | | Total Selected: |
210 | | Forwards: |
122 | | Defense: |
71 | | Goaltenders: |
17 | | Major Junior: |
138 | | Tier II Junior: |
7 | | College Players: |
42 | | High School: |
8 |
| Canadian: |
159 |
| Euro-Canadian: |
3 | | USA Citizens: |
35 | | U.S.-Born: |
35 |
| European: |
13 |
| Reached NHL: |
132 |
| Won Stanley Cup: |
24 | | Hall of Fame: |
4 |
| All-Star Game: |
17 |
| Year-end All-Star: |
5 |
| Olympians: |
19 |
| Picks Traded: |
25 |
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