Kings’ Nicholas named NAPHL U-18 All-Star coach

LAINE, Minn. – The North American Prospects Hockey League has announced that Thunder Bay Happy Time Tours major midget Kings head coach Darrin Nicholas has been named to be one of the coaches for its upcoming under-18 All-Star Game, which goes Sunday, December 15 in Blaine, Minn.

The bench boss of Thunder Bay’s U-18 side sees his club sit in top spot in the NAPHL’s Elite Division with a 9-3 record.

He also led the Kings to a NAPHL Dixon Cup championship last season.

Nicholas will be joined on the NAPHL Blue squad with three of his players in goaltender Eric Vanska, defenceman Alex Pineau and forward Travis Hensrud.

The NAPHL U-18 All-Star Game goes Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Blaine.

Also, the entire Kings squad will be Blaine this weekend for Round 4 of NAPHL regular season play.

Thunder Bay’s will open up Saturday at noon against the Portland Jr. Winterhawks before wrapping up the day vs. the Esmark Stars from Pittsburgh in a 10 p.m. start.

Sunday’s slate has them taking on CarShield AAA of St. Louis at 12:15 p.m. before the four members of the Kings take part in the All-Star Game.

Round 4 of the NAPHL concludes Monday at noon as they take on the Colorado Springs Tigers.

All NAPHL games are streamed online via HockeyTV.com.

Meanwhile, the Kings’ minor midget squad will host the Fort Frances Muskies High School team in a three-game set this weekend at Fort William First Nation Arena.

The two clubs will tangle twice on Saturday, at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., before wrapping up the mini-series Sunday at 10 a.m. at FWFNA.

Photo credit: James Mirabelli