Experienced centre Josh Nicholls joins the Steelers from KHL side Kunlun Red Stars where he has spent the previous 5 seasons, with spells in both Germany and Norway.

Nicholls played his junior hockey in the WHL for the Saskatoon Blades where in his final three seasons he tallied over a point per game.

Turning pro in 2013 Josh then split his time between the ECHL (with Greenville & Colorado) and the AHL (Hartford) before heading to Germany and Straubling (DEL) in 2017

After an impressive spell in Norway with Storhamar the following year Nicholls moved on to Russia and his first spell with Kunlun in the KHL, his next five seasons were split with time there and games with KRS-ORG Beijing (VHL), Heilbronner (DEL2) and Storhamar once again.

That second spell in Norway saw Josh lead his team in scoring during the post season play offs.

in 2022-23 Josh once again headed back to the KHL for his final spell with Kunlun and now heads to Sheffield for his first spell in the UK

head coach Aaron Fox expects big things from our new man 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”.