I was just gonna do the one post in this thread but when I thought about it, I think Nicky deserves more and I also believe that documenting some of his virtues might do a lot of others some good too.
When I first asked Nicky to join Nexus in 2002, he wasn't a spring chicken by any means and had already been playing for many years but hadn't at that time moved to pro.
Nicky was one of the most humble and dignified guys I have ever met, not once did he believe he had learned enough.
He was always willing to take instruction and bore no signs of arrogance whatsoever, he would continually ask questions to try and learn and improve his game.
His loyalty to me and Nexus was unquestioned.
He kept his feet firmly planted on the ground when some others around him in the team had disappeared up their own ass-hype.
He was a true professional in all senses of the word, he was dedicated, hard working and possessed a God-given talent.
His attitude was exemplary both on and off the field of play, he was not only a great ambassador for Nexus in those early days but also for pro paintball.
He was always genuinely grateful for everything the team gave to him; the trips abroad, the gear, the opportunity to play at the highest level and so on.
I couldn't have asked for a better player to have in my team during that first year and my abiding memory of him (and I had many) was when he cleaned up the Russian Legion the firs time we ever played them in Vegas.
His play at the end of that game in taking out the last three Russkies made the hair at the back of my neck stand up.
He was last man standing !!!
He is the sort of guy we need as a role model for any aspiring young players and I hope he can still be heavily involved in paintball, because as a sport, we can only benefit if he is.
