By Alexis Demopoulos
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders defenseman Carson Nickulas cannot thank the organization enough for how much they helped him and he is thrilled to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Endicott College for the 2025-26 season.
Nickulas, a Barnstable, Mass., native, signed with the Islanders this season and he has really found his stride. In 54 games played, Nickulas had 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) and has established himself as a top defenseman. He was also selected to be an Atlantic All-Star back in January.
“My time at the P.A.L. Islanders organization has been second to none,” said Nickulas. “The winning culture as well as the high standards held have been so beneficial to me. The development that I attained through head coach Mike Marcou and assistant Greg Barnych are invaluable. I have grown so much, not only as a hockey player but as an individual as well. The tightness of the group when I first arrived as well as the reputation that followed Marcou were the driving factors in what led me to sign here for the 2024-25 season.”
Endicott College Head Coach R.J. Tolan reached out to Nickulas around Thanksgiving and the process took off from there.
“The coaches at Endicott liked that I am a puck-moving defenseman being able to create plays throughout each zone with my skating ability, as well as my offensive zone presence,” said Nickulas.
Nickulas has built a solid foundation with coach Tolan and that was a huge driving factor for him. Academically, Endicott has a tremendous business program and that was intriguing to Nickulas.
“What interested me the most about Endicott on the academic side is the opportunity to be a part of the business program and the ability to attain my MBA with a goal to do it in four years,” said Nickulas. “On the hockey side of things, I was attracted by the high standards held and the connection I’ve built with head coach R.J. Tolan.”
Hailing from Cape Cod, the campus being across the street from a beach is an added bonus as well as him staying close to his family and friends.
“As a Massachusetts native, I had never been to the campus of Endicott,” said Nickulas. “When I first walked through, I was amazed by the layout and modern campus inside and out of every building throughout campus. Being from Cape Cod, I loved that the school was waterfront and just a walk away to the beach. Another aspect I loved was that I was able to go somewhere that was close to my family, friends, and the city of Boston.”
As Nickulas prepares to level up next season, he is working on increasing the defensive aspect of his game and becoming a stronger player to face up against.
For the remainder of his juniors career, Nickulas is hoping he and his teammates can obtain their dream of bringing home a Dineen Cup. The P.A.L. Jr. Islanders finished atop the Atlantic division with a 41-7-3-3 record.
“There is one common goal amongst not only me but everyone that shows up to the rink every day, and that is to win a Dineen Cup,” said Nickulas. “I firmly believe that we have the group to make a push for the championship trophy and we are going to have an unforgettable time doing it.”
The NCDC congratulates Carson Nickulas, his family, the PAL Islanders and Endicott College
for his commitment.
