evan nicholas
PARA ICE HOCKEY
Paralympic medals: 1 Gold
2026 Outlook: Evan Nichols continues to emerge as a poised and resilient presence within U.S. para ice hockey as he prepares to represent Team USA at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. After becoming the youngest member of the U.S. gold-medal roster in Beijing, Nichols’ rapid development — accelerated by his time with the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins — has positioned him as a young athlete whose composure, adaptability, and growing confidence add depth to the national lineup.
Need to know:
• One-time Paralympian
• Born with arthrogryposis and later diagnosed with bilateral Perthes disease, Evan Nichols endured multiple surgeries growing up — learning to walk seven different times before discovering sled hockey through a childhood friend.
• His game leveled up when his family drove four hours so he could play with the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins during COVID-19, and by age 17 he became the youngest member of Team USA’s gold-medal sled hockey roster at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
Personal:
Age: 21
Hometown: Haymarket, VAÂ
Limb difference / disability: Arthrogryposis and bilateral Perthes disease
Evan Nichols
PARA ICE HOCKEY
Paralympic medals: 1 Gold
2026 Outlook: Evan Nichols continues to emerge as a poised and resilient presence within U.S. para ice hockey as he prepares to represent Team USA at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. After becoming the youngest member of the U.S. gold-medal roster in Beijing, Nichols’ rapid development, accelerated by his time with the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins, has positioned him as a young athlete whose composure, adaptability, and growing confidence add depth to the national lineup.
Need to know:
• One-time Paralympian
• Born with arthrogryposis and later diagnosed with bilateral Perthes disease, Evan Nichols endured multiple surgeries growing up — learning to walk seven different times before discovering sled hockey through a childhood friend.
• His game leveled up when his family drove four hours so he could play with the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins during COVID-19, and by age 17 he became the youngest member of Team USA’s gold-medal sled hockey roster at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
Personal:
Age: 21
Hometown: Haymarket, VA
Limb difference / disability: Arthrogryposis and bilateral Perthes disease
