Fifth-year forward Brenna Nicol will achieve an incredible milestone this coming Friday, suiting up in her 100th career game as a member of the Bisons women's hockey program. That total is second on the roster overall, an incredible testament to the commitment and perseverance that the Nipigon, Ontario native has put into her craft.
 
When Nicol first came to the Herd, nothing was guaranteed. The former captain of the Thunder Bay Queens midget program attended the Bisons' spring camp on a tryout basis, and her grit and tenacity earned her a spot on the roster for 2020.
 
Nicol's first season post-COVID was a learning experience. She played in nine games, with the speed and overall play at the university level a massive jump from what she was used to. But much like her younger years spent away from home, she remained dedicated and shifted her mindset.
 
Fast forward to present day, and Nicol is a key voice on the ice and in the locker room. Beloved by her teammates, her hard-working, gritty playing style epitomizes what it means to a Bison, and she will graduate from the program following 2025-26 having left a permanent legacy.
 
"When you're in your rookie year it's hard to be in and out of the lineup or not play as much. But I think that honestly helped me a lot as a person, to be able to fight for something and work really hard to finally be someone who is playing consistently. It means a lot to me to have a bigger role on this team," said Nicol.
 
"I honestly still remember the first game I played with this team, and how crazy it felt to see that jersey in my stall, and the feeling I felt the first time I put it on. One hundred games later, I still feel the same way. I still get super excited to put it on. I feel a lot of pride when I'm playing for this team."
 
Nicol is a pest to play against. She's constantly buzzing around the crease, creating traffic and frustration for opposing goalies, and space and opportunities for herself and others.
 

As a group, the Bisons have been in five one-goal games, battling shot for shot with the best teams in the country. Four of those contests have gone to an extra session, with Nicol contributing two points.
 
Last year, the gritty forward posted a career-high seven points and was a plus seven, and this year, her role has expanded under first-year head coach Jordan Colliton, a former captain at the NCAA Division 1 level with the Maine Black Bears.
 
Offensively, the team has "a lot more freedom," and [Colliton] is "bringing in tactics to get to the net and try to create more offence," while "attacking open space" which plays directly into strengths in Nicol's game.
 
"Jordan has been a huge addition to this team. She has a lot of experience and it really shows. My role and my style of play definitely has been embraced. I'm trying to be a lot more responsible defensively and trying to do what she's asking of us," she added.
 
"I've gotten some penalty kill minutes, which I haven't before, so I'm trying to be my best at that. I definitely feel a bit more confidence knowing that someone is believing in me to be in those positions which is a huge part of the game. It makes me want to do whatever it takes, and do whatever I can to do whatever I can to help the team win."
 

'I've gone through a lot out there'
Off the ice, Nicol has gained valuable leadership skills fighting fires in the Nipigon area.
 
This year marked her fifth year on the job, and first as crew leader.  
 
"To start it off, I'll show up to work, I get briefed in the morning and they'll tell me what to look out for, and what factors might come into play that day like high wins, or if it's very dry. I could be put on red alert, which means I'm first up to be sent out. Once you're on red alert you sit there and wait until you find a fire or someone calls it in," she reflected.
 
"This was my first time being in charge. I remember the first time the fire alarm went off for me to go. I was shaking, it was very nerve-wracking. You kind of just have to collect yourself and get on the chopper and go. Once you get over top of it, you try and figure out your bearings. The first thing I'll try to figure out is which way the fire is spreading, and how I'm going to fight it and keep all my people safe."
 
Being in high pressure situations through hockey has helped Nicol in her work fighting fires, and vice-versa. There are situations where she could be working up to 16 hours a day, in close quarters with people from a vast array of backgrounds. Knowing how to communicate effectively and stay calm under pressure has been critical.
 
"This year being in the crew leader position I definitely learned a lot of leadership skills, and working with people you might have differences with. At the end of the day you have to spend however many nights in the bush with them, so you have to learn how to love people," she said.
 
"I started doing the job when I was 18. I just wanted a good summer job and I found that. It was close to my home town. Learning that sometimes it might suck, sometimes you might be waist deep in a swamp with bugs attacking you, but if you get through something like that, it makes thinking about things in my everyday life now seem a lot easier, and smaller, because I've gone through a lot out there, and pushed myself a lot."
 
Catch Nicol and the Bisons in action this Friday and Saturday against Regina at 7 pm, and 5 pm, respectively. Click here for tickets.