The month is December, snow-capped mountains in Utah, only a sign of one thing… hockey season is back. On Tuesday, December 1st, the Utah Grizzlies announced the signing of American centreman Michael McNicholas. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season.
McNicholas joins the Utah Grizzlies after signing in July to return to the Maine Mariners. The lefty became a free agent when the team opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to making the jump pro, McNicholas spent four seasons playing with the New Hampshire Wildcats in the NCAA.
While there, he tallied 22 goals along with 58 assists in 117 games. Following that, he signed his first pro contract in 2017-18 with the Indy Fuel. Hitting the ice in three games, the forward tallied one assist, however, didn’t score a goal.
Over the previous two seasons, McNicholas, while with the Maine Mariners, tallied 24 goals along with 67 assists. He did so in 125 games. A native of Reno, Nevada, McNicholas, 26-years-old, is Maine’s franchise leader in points, assists and games played.
I am really looking forward to seeing what McNicholas can do with the team’s core forward group come puck drop. Utah is set to hold their home opener on December 18th as they play host to the Oilers. Before that, on December 11th, the Grizzlies open the season against the Rapid City Rush.