“I’m Excited to play in front of the Steelers fans” says Nicholls “watching the video seeing the arena full and the fans going crazy was a major part in my decision to come to the Steelers”
31 Year old centre Josh Nicholls has been confirmed as the Steelers final summer signing as he joins the club from Kunlun Red Stars of the KHL
Playing for the Kunlun Red Star’s, Nicholls has played 86 KHL games over the past four years, where he also had stints with Storhamar (Norway) and Heilbronner Falken’s (Germany).
“I’m excited to get over to the UK and help contribute to a winning organisation,” said Nicholls. “After the time in Russia I wanted to come to a side wanting to win, I need to compete every night and after speaking with Aaron, I decided that place was Sheffield.
“The KHL is a great league and I have left of lot of good friends over there but with so many changes every year on our team we struggled to be competitive. I’m now coming to a club with a clear plan on how to win.
“This is the right move for me at my time of life, I’ve just got married and the decision where to go and play this season was a big one. Once I got talking with Aaron, the Steelers and the UK was an option, then I watched all the Youtube videos of games and became hooked. Then I saw who we were signing and how the squad looked, and I had to be a part of it.
“I want to play in front of thousands of fans like we do in Sheffield, that fan support was a major pull for me, it excited me to perform for them and I can’t wait to do so”.
Describing himself, Josh said “Aaron wants me to be a high end point producer and says he will give me the opportunity to do so, and I believe I can be! I’m a big smooth offensive forward, I like to make a pass and I am a good play maker. In tight I can finish and contribute”.
Head coach Aaron Fox confirmed the deal saying “Josh is a 6’2 forward who skates very well for a bigger guy and plays a very complete game.
“He has been close to a point per game player in any league other than the KHL where he has spent the last couple years as a solid bottom 6 player for them.
“In the 21-22 season he had 16 points in 36 KHL games before going to Norway mid-season. He finished as the playoff goal leader there with 8 goals in a playoff run to the finals.
“Josh is coming in on the 1 year MBA option with Sheffield Hallam University and that played a huge part in getting this deal done. We agreed this deal with Hallam late and it has helped get two guys we don’t get without that deal so that has been huge”.
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