ECHL: Wichita Thunder Re-sign Nico Somerville

The Wichita Thunder have announced that they have re-signed 5’9″ defenseman Nico Somerville for the 2025-26 season.

Junior and Collegiate Career

Nico Somerville started his junior career in the 2014-15 season playing for the Victoria Cougars in the VIJHL. In his two seasons with the Cougars, Somerville played in 47 games where he had four goals and 19 assists for 23 points with 16 penalty minutes. In 14 playoff games, he had one goal and five assists for six points with six penalty minutes, helping the Cougars win the VIJHL championship.

The Port Alberni, British Columbia native, signed with the BCHL with the Victoria Grizzlies. Somerville was with the Grizzlies until the 2019-20 season, when he was traded to the Penticton Vees. In his five BCHL seasons, he registered 17 goals and 67 assists for 84 points with 138 penalty minutes in 210 games played. He also played in 40 playoff games, where he had five goals and five assists for ten points with ten penalty minutes.

After completing his junior career, Somerville started his collegiate career playing Division I hockey at American International College (AIC). In his four seasons at AIC, Somerville plated in 110 games where he registered seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points with 48 penalty minutes and a +18. In the 2020-21 season, Somerville was named to the AHA East Pod All-Rookie Team and was named to the AHA All-Tournament Team in the 2023-24 season. Somerville and AIC were the AHA Regular Season Champions in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and also won the AHA Championship in both seasons.

Professional Career

When his collegiate career ended, Somerville signed with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL for the 2024-25 season. In his one season with the Thunder, Somerville played in 49 games, scoring three goals and eight assists for 11 points, 27 penalty minutes, and a +6.

Somerville had a great rookie season with the Thunder. With his feet now planted in the league and knowing how to play in the ECHL, Somerville should continue to find success with the Thunder in the 2025-26 season. While he is not a huge player, Somerville plays a big game. Somerville is able to use his speed on both ends of the ice and is able to set up his teammates to score, occasionally finding the back of the net himself.