Hickey Nicholson

Who was Hickey Nicholson?

John Ivan "Hickey" Nicholson was a professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. Born Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he played with the Chicago Black Hawks.

Hockey - Major John Ivan "Hickey" Nicholson Inducted Date:Jul 18, 1976 Inducted By: Gordon S. Storey

John Ivan "Hickey" Nicholson was born on September 9, 1912 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. He learned the basics of hockey while a student at West Kent School before beginning his career with the Intermediate Victorias of the Island Hockey League in the 1920s. In the 1930s, he moved on to the Charlottetown Abbies, playing on a line with the late Walter Lawlor [inducted 1978] and John Squarebriggs [inducted 2005]. "Hickey" was the darling of the Abbies much like the late George "Chick" Gallant [inducted 1981] was for Summerside Crystals. He was the drawing card for the Abby and Crystal games before the formation of the Original Big Four Hockey League. When that league was formed, he was one of only a handful of Maritimers to make the grade, as 95% of the players were imports. "Hickey" was then a linemate of the late Jackie Kane and Pete Kelly, two of the most famous imports to play with the Abbies.