Daniel Nimick
{{short description|Canadian soccer player (born 2000)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Daniel Nimick
| image = Dan Nimick, HFX Wanderers FC.jpg
| alt = Man in a football jersey looking at the camera, smiling and giving the thumbs up sign
| caption = Nimick with HFX Wanderers in 2023
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|22|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Canada
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Forge FC
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Beckwithshaw Saints
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Pannal Ash
| youthyears3 = 2009–2017
| youthclubs3 = Leeds United
| youthyears4 = 2017–2019
| youthclubs4 = Harrogate Town
| collegeyears1 = 2019–2022
| college1 = Western Michigan Broncos
| collegecaps1 = 65
| collegegoals1 = 12
| years1 = 2019
| clubs1 = Harrogate Town
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2021
| clubs2 = Grand Rapids FC
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2022
| clubs3 = South Bend Lions
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2023–2024
| clubs4 = HFX Wanderers
| caps4 = 51
| goals4 = 14
| years5 = 2025–
| clubs5 = Forge FC
| caps5 = 1
| goals5 = 0
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = April 5, 2025
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Daniel Nimick (born September 22, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League.
Early life
Nimick was born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada,{{cite web|date=August 28, 2023|url=https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/the-wanderer-grounds-podcast-dan-nimick-is-making-a-case-for-defensive-player-of-the-year-31410052|first1=Martin|last1=Bauman|first2=Matt|last2=Stickland|title=The Wanderer Grounds podcast: Dan Nimick is making a case for Defensive Player of the Year|work=The Coast}} to an English mother and an Irish/Northern Irish father, where his father who was part of the Royal Air Force and was posted at CFB Goose Bay.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/its-interesting-how-things-come-full-circle-labrador-born-nimick-returns-to-canada-with-wanderers|title=It's interesting how things come full circle': Labrador born Nimick returns to Canada with Wanderers|date=February 17, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} After he turned one, his family moved to Harrogate, England. Nimick first played youth football with the Beckwithshaw Saints Junior Football Club and Pannal Ash Junior Football Club.{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/former-leeds-united-and-harrogate-town-youngster-daniel-nimick-signs-for-mls-outfit-vancouver-whitecaps-3975165|title=Former Leeds United and Harrogate Town youngster Daniel Nimick signs for MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps|date=January 5, 2023|first=Rhys|last=Howell|work=Harrogate Advertiser}} At age eight, he joined the Leeds United academy, where he played for eight years. He then joined Harrogate Town's youth program, where he captained the youth side to the U23 Pro Development League title in 2019.
College career
In 2019, Nimick moved to the United States to attend Western Michigan University, where he played for the men's soccer team.{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2019/4/8/mens-soccer-adds-nimick-to-2019-recruiting-class.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Adds Nimick to 2019 Recruiting Class|date=April 8, 2019|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} On November 15, 2019, he scored his first collegiate goal in the team's Mid-American Conference Championship semifinal loss against the West Virginia Mountaineers.{{Cite web|date=November 15, 2019|title=Broncos Fall in MAC Semifinals|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2019/11/15/mens-soccer-broncos-eliminated-in-mac-semifinals.aspx|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} He was named to the All-MAC Tournament Team as a freshman. In his sophomore season, he was converted to a centre-back, after having previously playing as a holding midfielder.{{cite web|url=https://wanderersnotebook.ca/2023/05/05/daniels-the-full-package-nimick-making-a-name-for-himself-with-hfx-wanderers/|title='Daniel's the full package': Nimick making a name for himself with HFX Wanderers|first=Josh|last=Healey|date=May 5, 2023|work=Wanderers Notebook}} That season, he was named to the All-MAC First Team,{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2021/4/22/mens-soccer-lands-four-on-all-mac-team.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Lands Four on All-MAC Team|date=April 22, 2021|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} the All-North Region Second Team,{{cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2021/5/12/mens-soccer-nimick-and-melaragni-named-to-all-region-team|title=Nimick and Melaragni Named to All-Region Team|date=May 12, 2021|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} and was an Academic All-MAC selection.{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/daniel-nimick/12275|title=Daniel Nimick WMU Broncos profile|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} In his junior season, he was named to the All-MAC Second Team,{{cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2021/11/10/mens-soccer-sharp-nimick-and-sing-earn-all-mac-honors.aspx|title=Sharp, Nimick and Sing Earn All-MAC Honors|date=November 10, 2021|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} and was an Academic All-MAC.
In his senior season, he scored eight goals (including five game-winning goals.{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/12/14/mens-soccer-daniel-nimick-named-to-united-soccer-coaches-2022-all-america-team.aspx|title=Daniel Nimick Named to United Soccer Coaches 2022 All-America Team|date=December 14, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} He was named MAC Player of the Year and named to the All-MAC First Team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.westernherald.com/sports/article_59d012ac-6144-11ed-b1f7-0b9c9f9644c1.html|title=Daniel Nimick wins MAC Player of the Year, 8 WMU men's soccer players named to 2022 MAC awards|date=November 10, 2022|first=Travis|last=Leonardi|work=Western Herald}}{{cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/11/10/mens-soccer-nimick-morse-and-hodgson-claim-player-of-the-year-awards.aspx|title=Nimick, Morse and Hodgson Claim Player of the Year Awards|date=November 10, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} He was also named to the All-North Region First Team,{{cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/12/7/mens-soccer-has-five-named-to-all-region-team.aspx|title=Men's Soccer has Five Named to All-Region Team|date=December 7, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} as well as being named a 2022 NCAA Division I Men's All-American Second Team.{{cite web|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2022/12/14/mens-soccer-wmus-nimick-akrons-clapier-tabbed-2022-usc-all-american.aspx|title=WMU's Nimick, Akron's Clapier Tabbed 2022 USC All-Americans|date=December 14, 2022|work=Mid-American Conference}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2022/12/wmu-mens-soccer-defender-daniel-nimick-named-programs-3rd-all-american.html|title=WMU men's soccer defender Daniel Nimick named program's 3rd All-American|date=December 15, 2022|first=Patrick|last=Nothaft|work=MLive Media Group}} He was also an Academic All-MAC selection and Scholar All-American First Team.{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/12/16/mens-soccer-mens-soccer-has-eight-named-academic-all-mac.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Has Eight Named Academic All-MAC|date=December 16, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}}{{cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/12/15/mens-soccer-nimick-sharp-and-conerty-named-2022-united-soccer-coaches-scholar-all-americans.aspx|title=Nimick, Sharp and Conerty Named 2022 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Americans|date=December 15, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} Over his four seasons with the Broncos, he scored 12 goals and added seven assists.{{cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/sports/wanderers-sign-canadianenglish-defender-daniel-nimick-100825930/|title=Wanderers sign Canadian/English defender Daniel Nimick|date=February 17, 2023|work=SaltWire Network|first=George|last=Myrer}}
Club career
In 2019, he made his senior debut with Harrogate Town in a cup competition.
In 2021, Nimick played with Grand Rapids FC in USL League Two.{{cite web|title=Daniel Nimick 2021 USL2 Stats|work=USL League Two|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/45950032}} In 2022, he joined fellow USL2 club South Bend Lions FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/54072539?subseason=800197|title=Daniel Nimick 2022 USL2 Stats|work=USL League Two}}
In December 2022, he was selected in the second-round (42nd overall) in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-select-canadian-centre-back-daniel-nimick-42nd-overall-in-2023-mls-|title=Whitecaps FC select Canadian centre back Daniel Nimick 42nd overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft|date=December 21, 2022|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2022/12/22/mens-soccer-nimick-morse-and-sharp-selected-in-mls-superdraft-2023.aspx|title=Nimick, Morse, and Sharp Selected in MLS SuperDraft 2023|date=December 22, 2022|work=Western Michigan Broncos}} In training camp, he was assigned to train with the second team, Whitecaps FC 2 of MLS Next Pro, but chose not to sign with them.{{cite web|url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/on-the-right-path-as-iron-man-dan-nimick-thrives-in-halifax-dreams-of-can-mnt-cpl-titles-grow|title='On the right path': As 'Iron-Man' Dan Nimick thrives in Halifax, dreams of CanMNT, CPL titles grow|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic|date=August 28, 2023|work=OneSoccer}}
In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2024, with Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC.{{Cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-sign-canadian-defender-daniel-nimick|title=Wanderers sign Canadian defender Daniel Nimick|date=February 17, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/halifax-wanderers-daniel-nimick/|title=Wanderers Add MLS SuperDraft Pick Daniel Nimick|date=February 17, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} In doing so, Nimick became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to sign for a club in the league.{{cite web |last=Wall |first=Lukas |title=N.L.-born player ready to make the leap to pro soccer with CPL contract |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nemick-signs-halifax-cpl-1.6760611 |publisher=CBC|date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=19 April 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.canpl.ca/forgefc/news/homecoming-and-high-stakes-nimick-faces-former-club-in-crucial-forge-doubleheader|title=Homecoming and High Stakes: Nimick Faces Former Club in Crucial Forge Doubleheader|date=May 2, 2025|work=Forge FC|first=Steve|last=Milton}} He made his professional debut on April 15, 2023, in a league match against Atlético Ottawa, before being named to the CPL Team of the Week following the match.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/26406|title=Stories of the Match: Wanderers open 2023 with a draw vs. Ottawa|date=April 15, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-callegari-nimick-and-ferrazzo-named-for-cpl-team-of-the-week|title=Wanderers Callegari, Nimick and Ferrazzo named for CPL Team of the Week|date=April 17, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} On June 30, he scored his first goal, netting a penalty kick during stoppage time to give the Wanderers a 2–1 victory over Forge FC.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-stoppage-time-nimick-penalty-delivers-halifax-wanderers-dramatic-home-win-over-forge|title=Match Analysis: Stoppage-time Nimick penalty delivers Halifax Wanderers dramatic home win over Forge|date=June 30, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}}{{Cite web|title=HFX Wanderers 2–1 Forge: Nimick Wins It At The Death|url=https://northerntribune.ca/2023-canadian-premier-league-halifax-forge-recap/|first=David|last=Parkes|date=June 30, 2023|work=Northern Tribune}}{{cite web|url=https://wanderersnotebook.ca/2023/07/01/hfx-wanderers-topple-forge-fc-2-1-thanks-to-nimick-penalty/|title=HFX Wanderers topple Forge FC 2–1 thanks to Nimick penalty|first=Josh|last=Healey|date=July 1, 2023|work=Wanderers Notebook}} After scoring his fourth goal of the season on August 26, he was named the CPL Player of the Week.{{cite web|title=Deep Dive: Defenders Nimick, Didić, Klomp have excelled in CPL; what's next for them?|url=https://canpl.ca/article/deep-dive-defenders-nimick-didic-klomp-have-excelled-in-cpl-whats-next-for-them|first=Benedict|last=Rhodes|date=August 31, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League}} He was subsequently named the CPL Player of the Month for August.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/halifax-wanderers-defender-daniel-nimick-named-cpl-player-of-the-month-for-august-2023|title=Halifax Wanderers defender Daniel Nimick named CPL Player of the Month for August 2023|date=September 6, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League}} At the end of the season, he was nominated for the league's Defender of the Year award,{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/dan-nimick-nominated-for-cpl-defender-of-the-year|title=Dan Nimick nominated for CPL Defender of the Year|date=October 18, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}{{cite web|title=James, Klomp, Nimick nominated for Defender of the Year|url=https://canpl.ca/article/james-klomp-nimick-nominated-for-defender-of-the-year|date=October 18, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League}} as well as the Players' Player of the Year award,{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-callegari-ferrin-and-nimick-nominated-for-players-player-of-the-year|title=Wanderers Callegari, Ferrin and Nimick nominated for Players' Player of the Year|date=October 23, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} and was named to the CPL Best XI.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/canadian-premier-league-best-xi-fuelled-by-gatorade-2023-cpl-stars-honoured|title=Canadian Premier League Best XI fuelled by Gatorade: 2023 CPL stars honoured|date=December 20, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League}} For the 2024 season, Nimick was named an assistant captain for HFX Wanderers.{{cite web|title=Wanderers name Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé and Dan Nimick assistant captains for 2024|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-name-jeremy-gagnon-lapare-and-dan-nimick-assistant-captains-for-2024|date=April 25, 2024|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}{{cite web|title=Dan Nimick is becoming the leader the Wanderers desperately need|url=https://wanderersnotebook.ca/2024/05/04/dan-nimick-is-becoming-the-leader-the-wanderers-desperately-need/|date=May 4, 2024|work=Wanderers Notebook|first=Josh|last=Healey}} On July 18, 2024, he scored two penalties, before being denied another one by Jonathan Viscosi, in a 3–1 league victory over Valour FC.{{Cite web |last=O'Connor Clarke |first=Charlie |date=July 19, 2024 |title=HIGHLIGHTS: HFX Wanderers FC vs. Valour FC (July 18, 2024) {{!}} Presented by tonybet |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/highlights-hfx-wanderers-fc-vs-valour-fc-july-18-2024-presented-by-tonybet-canadian-premier-league |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=OneSoccer}} He departed the club following the 2024 season.{{cite web|url=https://truenorthfoot.ca/article/dan-nimick-has-announced-his-departure-from-the-halifax-wanderers|title=Dan Nimick has announced his departure from the Halifax Wanderers|date=January 11, 2025|work=True North Foot}}
In January 2025, he signed with Forge FC on a multi-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://forgefc.canpl.ca/article/forge-fc-sign-star-canadian-premier-league-defender-daniel-nimick|title=Forge FC sign star Canadian Premier League defender Daniel Nimick|date=January 21, 2025|work=Forge FC}}{{cite web|url=https://wanderersnotebook.ca/2025/01/21/sources-former-wanderer-dan-nimick-inks-two-year-deal-with-forge-fc/|title=Sources: Former Wanderer Dan Nimick inks two-year deal with Forge FC|date=January 21, 2025|work=Wanderers Notebook|first=Josh|last=Healey}}
Career statistics
{{updated|October 19, 2024}}{{soccerway|daniel-nimick/895698}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Harrogate Town
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Grand Rapids FC
|2021 |11 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 1 | |||
| South Bend Lions
|2022 |9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 3 | ||
| rowspan=3|HFX Wanderers
|2023 |rowspan=2|Canadian Premier League |27 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 29 | 6 | |
| 2024
|24 | 8 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 25 | 9 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!51 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 15 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!71 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 76 | 19 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|daniel-nimick/895698}}
{{Forge FC squad}}
{{Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nimick, Daniel}}
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:People from Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Category:Footballers from Harrogate
Category:Soccer people from Newfoundland and Labrador
Category:Canadian people of English descent
Category:Canadian people of Northern Ireland descent
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Irish descent
Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Western Michigan Broncos men's soccer players
Category:HFX Wanderers FC players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Canadian Premier League players
Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC draft picks