{"slides_column":"2","slides_scroll":"1","dots":"false","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":"5000","loop":"true","rtl":"false","speed":"2000","center_mode":"false"}
Dauphin Kings Neepawa Titans Niverville Nighthawks OCN Blizzard Portage Terriers Selkirk Steelers Steinbach Pistons Swan Valley Stampeders Virden Oil Capitals Wayway Wolverines Winkler Flyers Winnipeg Blues Winnipeg Freeze

Wickham finding his way in rookie season

Nolan Wickham played defence all throughout his AAA days with the Southwest Cougars and he started this year with the Kings as a defender.

But as his rookie season has gone on, Nolan has had the opportunity to play up front as a forward and it’s a transition that he is enjoying. The 18-year-old that grew up on a farm just outside of Waskada has chalked up five points this season, two of which are goals. That includes a dandy against OCN last weekend when he took a pass from Jeriah Shantz, went to the backhand and outlasted Steven Bacovsky for his second marker of the campaign in a 5-0 win.

Wickham has been a solid contributor and provides Dauphin with some excellent depth.

“I feel like I had a good start then sort of went through a rough patch,” said Wickham. “But I think I’m starting to pick things up here and I’m pleased with how I’m playing.”

Nolan says it’s very exciting to be with a team that has championship aspirations. And Nolan is no stranger to being on teams that win. In the 2019-20 season, he scored seven times and had 19 assists on a Cougars team that was 34-12-2. They were also off to a solid start last year before the season was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 35th pick in the 2018 MJHL Draft is also a former provincial champion.

“We have a pretty special group here and we’re all playing towards one cause,” said Wickham. “I love coming to the rink everyday and I love being a King, it’s special.”

The team is heading back up north on Thursday to play the OCN Blizzard, a team that will be completing a stretch of three games in three days.

“Awesome atmosphere there, people slapping the walls with sticks and everything, it’s great to be a part of,” offered Wickham.

Get to know Nolan:

Tell everyone a little about your life on the farm?

Basically just help my dad out with chores, we have cows and grain so it keeps me active every day, I love being a farm kid

What’s your favourite hockey memory?

Probably my second year of U15 hockey with Southwest, we won provincials, it’s something I will never forget

Favourite part about playing with the Kings and living in Dauphin?

I trust everyone on my team like a brother which is a great feeling and I love the city. It’s a little different because I’m not used to seeing traffic lights and so many cars back home but I’m really enjoying it