MetroVanIndependent.com
July 2015
23
sports
Filipino skater now a New York Rangers prospect in NHL
By Alex Mino
Filipino-Canadian Josh Nicholls made
a sterling performance at the conclusion
of the 2014-2015 East Coast Hockey
League (ECHL) season. His ability drew
the attention from the New York Rangers
Organization in the National Hockey
League (NHL) this year.
Nicholls’ potential and good puck
possession whenever he’s on the ice paved
the way for his inclusion as future stalwart
of Rangers.
The Rangers, who bowed out of the
2015 Eastern Conference Finals against the
Tampa Bay Lightning, can use Nicholls as
an offensive threat in the future because of
his good wrist shot.
Nicholls, son of Filipina Mae Corrales,
amassed a total of 43 points (21 goals
and 22 assists) in 53 games playing for
Greenville Road Warriors.
He was named ECHL Rookie of
the Month last March after recording a
Greenville record of six-game goal streak
from February 24 to March 8.
Nicholls, who started to skate at age
four, is tied for second in playoff goal
scoring with six goals and likewise tied in
third in playoff scoring with 15 points.
He had successful stints with the
Hartford Wolf Pack in the 2013-2014
American Hockey League (AHL) season.
Before plunging into ECHL, the 23-year
old grandson of Immigration Consultant
Edna Corrales had a tremendous five
seasons with the Saskatoon Blades in the
Western Hockey League (WHL).
He was an alternate captain for the
Blades where he is tied at third in scoring
goals with a total of 47.
Overall, he played 338 games for
Saskatoon, registering 138 goals and
dishing out 175 assists (313 points) for an
amazing 94 points per season.
While playing for the Hartford Wolf
Pack, he recorded a three-game goal
streak from November 9-13 in the 20132014 seasons.
The 6-foot-3 right winger was originally
Josh Nicholls seen here in action in one of his games as a member of Saskatoon Blades.
picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the
2010 NHL Entry Draft in the 7th round (182
overall).
He grew up cheering for the Vancouver
Canucks and dreamed of wearing the
orca whale jersey someday, but for the
meantime it will remain a dream.
“That would be a dream come true if
that happens,” says Nicholls
The Tsawwassen native will soon have
the opportunity to strut his ware in the NHL.
Cueto to fight in Ballroom Brawl 4
By Alex Mino
Pinoy wrestler Sean Cueto will be ready
to rumble as he climb the ring once more in
Ballroom Brawl 4 slated this coming July 11
at the Commodore Ballroom in downtown
Vancouver.
Cueto, who goes by the name of
“Brilliant Billy Suede” inside the ring, will
be pitted against Ethan HD in the ladder
match for both ECCW and Canadian
Championship.
Cueto’s fight is included in the main
event presented and organized by E