Wednesday (April 1) was a great day for William Nicholl. First, he signed with the Edmonton Oilers to a three-year entry-level contract that begins in the 2026-27 season. Then, he was named Third Star of the Game as his London Knights defeated the Soo Greyhounds to stave off elimination in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs.
London still trails the Greyhounds 3-1 in its best-of-seven first round series, so Nicholl’s junior career could come to an end any day now. But the 19-year-old can now look forward to starting his pro career next season.
Nicholl hails from Ottawa, stands six feet, weighs 184 pounds, and shoots left. Here are five other things to know about Edmonton’s newly signed prospect.
He Had a Breakout Season in the GOJHL
After being drafted 52nd overall by London in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Nicholl began his junior career playing for the St. Thomas Stars of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL).
Nicholl had a massive campaign with the Stars in 2022-23, winning the GOJHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year award and being named a GOJHL Western Conference First Team All-Star after racking up 20 goals and 44 assists in 43 games. He also made his OHL debut in 2022-23, suiting up for five games with the Knights.
He Was Drafted in Round 7 by Edmonton
Nicholl was selected in the 7th round, 196th overall, at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. At the time, he was coming off his first full OHL season, which saw him score six goals and add 14 assists in 65 games for the Knights.
He’s the third member of Edmonton’s 2024 Draft Class to sign with the Oilers, following forwards Sam O’Reilly (1st round, 32nd overall) and Connor Clattenburg (5th round, 160th overall). O’Reilly has since been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Isaac Howard, while Clattenburg played in five games with the Oilers earlier this season and is currently with the Bakersfield Condors.
He’s a Two-Time OHL Champion
While the Knights are facing an early exit from the postseason this year, Nicholl’s first two trips to the OHL Playoffs both ended in celebration.
In 2024, Nicholl helped London capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup, where the Knights ultimately lost in the championship final. Then last year, Nicholl and the Knights not only won their second consecutive OHL championship but went on to capture the third Memorial Cup title in team history.
He Has a Well-Rounded Game
With an average of 0.85 points per game over the last two OHL regular seasons, Nicholl has proven to be a solid offensive contributor, but nowhere near the top producers on a high-scoring Knights team.
What he does bring to the table is a well-rounded game, with checking ability, complemented by tremendous speed, all traits he showcased during an impressive showing with the Oilers at the 2024 Young Stars Classic rookie tournament.
He’s Coming Back From a Serious Injury
Last summer, Nicholl underwent upper-body surgery, a procedure that was expected to sideline him for four to six months, putting him on track for a January return (From “Sport notes: London Knights Will Nicholl, Sam O’Reilly to miss training camp”, The London Free Press, 8/22/25).
Related: In-Depth Look at How Every Oilers’ CHL Prospect Performed in 2025-26
He made it back to London’s lineup early, suiting up for his first game of 2025-26 on New Year’s Eve, and quickly returned to form. Over 32 regular season games, Nicholl totalled 15 goals and 11 assists, and he’s now got three assists in London’s first four games of the postseason.
The Knights will look to keep their postseason alive when they host the Greyhounds for Game 5 of Round 1 on Friday (April 3).
