NHL stars set to take to the ice in Florenceville-Bristol March 29
Bernie Nicholls retired from the National Hockey League almost 25 years ago. However, his love for the game remains in its prime.
Nicholls will be part of the “Legends of Hockey” Tour, making another stop in Carleton County at the Northern Carleton Civic Centre in Florenceville-Bristol on March 29. The puck will drop at 6 p.m.
The author of “The Pumpernickel” goal celebration, Nicholls is expected to be accompanied by accomplished ex-NHL’ers such as Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, Brian Skrudland, Rick Vaive, Rich Sutter, Darius Kasparitis and Ron Duguay, among several other former stars.
The River Valley Sun reached Nicholls at his parents’ home in Halliburton, Ontario. He said he is eager to be part of the Atlantic Canadian tour this year.
“I’ve been to the Maritimes several times with this group and we love seeing the smiling faces of the kids and parents,” Nicholls shares.
The tour stop acts as a local fundraiser. As an example, the 50/50 raffle for the event will see all proceeds go to Carleton Minor Hockey.
On Saturday, March 29, The Legends will conduct hockey clinics for Carleton Minor Hockey Association players. Minor hockey players must register online through the District of Carleton North Recreation Department.
For those with tickets to the evening game, doors open at 5 p.m. The Legends will take on a group of local hockey legends. General admission is $25 + HST.
The public can also purchase additional tickets for an in-game dressing room visit of The Legends, which would take place at either the first or second intermission. Finally, there’s a post-game reception, allowing fans to take pictures with and obtain autographs from the likes of Nicholls, who tallied 475 NHL goals in his career. Tickets for the post-game reception are $50 and do not include admittance to the game.
As a player, Nicholls played in over 1100 games. His best season was with the Los Angeles Kings in 1988-89. Nicholls magically tallied 70 goals and racked up 80 assists. These out-of-this-world numbers place Nicholls in rare company as one of only eight players to score 70 in a single season. His 150 points are even scarcer among a group of only five players in league history to notch 150 points in one season.
Although he has played in NHL All-Star games and been a teammate of future Hall of Famers, when the River Valley Sun asked Nicholls for his favourite career highlight, he didn’t hesitate to recognize his family.
“From my early days, having my family share my joy of playing the game. I think of my Mom and Dad, now both gone, staying up late to watch my west coast games in Los Angeles from our home in Haliburton, It feels good knowing I brought them joy watching me play,” he says proudly.
“Today, it’s seeing all the people we meet in the small towns and the kids’ faces which makes it the most fun. Having pictures taken and signing autographs, it never gets old. That’s what it’s all about,” Nicholls added.
Nicholls is an NHL goal scorer who became a cult icon of sorts after introducing his “Pumpernickel” goal celebration in April 1982.
“It was a game against Edmonton in the playoffs which we won 10 to 8. My team mate Bob Miller celebrated a goal earlier in the game and when I scored an empty netter to clinch the win, I went the length of the ice pumping my arms and fists. It stuck from there,” Nicholls states.
For those attending, it’s sure to be a Pumpernickel kind of evening.
