Nichols’ Own Olivia P. Shines on the International Ice

In the last weekend of January 2025, Nichols School eighth-grader Olivia P. made an unforgettable mark on the international stage, leading Romania’s U18 Women’s Ice Hockey Team to victory at the IIHF Women’s Division III World Championship. Competing at this elite level, Olivia demonstrated exceptional talent, determination, and resilience—qualities honed through her dedication to the sport.

Olivia’s tournament got off to an unexpected and challenging start when her skate blade snapped after her first shift, forcing her to sit out the remainder of the first period. With no replacement blades available in Croatia, her family had to make an impromptu drive to Slovenia just to secure new ones. Until then, Olivia skated the next two periods in a pair of her coach’s skates—one size too small.

Her comeback was nothing short of extraordinary. In the next two games, Olivia played a crucial role in Romania’s success, emerging as the top-scoring defender and earning the title of Best Player in the final game. Her efforts helped propel her team to victory and highlighted her strategic play, grit, and sportsmanship that define her as an athlete.

Olivia’s achievements are a proud moment for Nichols, reflecting not just her own dedication but the support of her coaches, teammates, family, and the entire school community.

Read the full IIHF article covering Romania’s championship win.
To learn more about how Nichols School supports student-athletes, visit our Athletics Program page.

We celebrate Olivia’s incredible performance and look forward to seeing all that she continues to accomplish on and off the ice. Congratulations, Olivia—we are so proud of you!