First, it was Elijah Ickes, a shortstop who became the first draft choice in the then-two year history of the Nanaimo NightOwls.
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His older brother Tui, a versatile outfielder who can play some infield, now carries the family torch in the West Coast League as the right-handed hitter with power has signed to play at historic-and-revamped Serauxmen Stadium. Tui — his full name is Tuiteavaika — is a redshirt sophomore at Hawaii Hilo, not far from the University of Hawaii where Eli is a true freshman with the Rainbow Warriors.
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Tui Ickes is one of six players announced as added to the roster that will again be coached by Greg Frady, Gorm Heimueller and Sean FitzGerald, the only coaches the team has known going to the third season in Nanaimo.
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Elijah was named the top pro prospect in the WCL in 2023, and the Texas Rangers made him an 18th round pick — he did not sign, taking the UH scholarship instead.
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Tui put in a lot of work in the gym to be ready for his second season in college and to show scouts there’s more than one great player in the family.
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