In March 1917 Nichols entered the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Forces and did not play for two seasons before making a brief comeback in the 1919–20 season with the Seattle Metropolitans, appearing in the 1920 Stanley Cup Finals.
In March 1917, Nichols joined the Canadian military forces and did not participate in two seasons prior to making a short comeback in the 1919–20 season with the Seattle Metropolitans, participating in the 1920 Stanley Cup Finals.