Brock Christian Nelson (born October 15, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nelson was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders. Prior to playing professional hockey, Nelson played at the University of North Dakota. His first experience in professional hockey was at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Islanders' affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
| Brock Nelson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Nelson with the New York Islanders in 2018 | |||
| Born | October 15, 1991 Minneapolis, Minnesota,[1] U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Center | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team | New York Islanders | ||
| National team |  United States | ||
| NHL draft | 30th overall, 2010 New York Islanders | ||
| Playing career | 2012–present | ||
Playing career
editEarly career
editNelson played hockey at Warroad High School, where he was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top Minnesota high school hockey player. He finished the 2009–10 season with 39 goals and 34 assists for 73 points in 25 games for Warroad.[2] On September 24, 2009, Nelson committed to play Division 1 hockey for the University of North Dakota after considering Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha[3] and later partook in the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.[4] Nelson was selected 30th overall by the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2010 Entry Draft.[5]
Collegiate
editNelson competed with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux for two seasons while majoring in pre-investments.[6] He recorded his first collegiate goal on a power play to lift the Fighting Sioux 3–2 over Minnesota Duluth.[7] Later in the season, he recorded his first two-goal game in a win over Robert Morris Colonials.[8] He recorded a goal off an assist from Joe Gleason to help lead the Fighting Sioux to the WCHA Final Five.[9] Nelson ended the season with the Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship as he led all Sioux freshmen in points and goals.[6] He was also named to the All-WCHA Team and WCHA All-Tournament Team.[10]
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In his sophomore season, Nelson played on a line with Corban Knight and Danny Kristo.[11] By the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, Nelson was named to the All-WCHA Third Team after leading all WCHA players with 20 goals and becoming UND's youngest 20 goal scorer since Jonathan Toews.[12] He was also named a Inside College Hockey All-American,[13] to College Hockey News Second Team,[14] and Inside College Hockey's WCHA Breakthrough Player of the Year.[15] Nelson ended his collegiate career by signing an Entry Level Contract with the New York Islanders on April 3, 2012.[16]
Professional career
editNelson began his professional career with the Islanders' minor league affiliate, the American Hockey League's (AHL) Bridgeport Sound Tigers after the 2011–12 season, during the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs. He eventually made his NHL debut during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Islanders after the 2012–13 regular season.[17] He registered his first NHL point the following season on October 8, 2013, an assist on a goal by Peter Regin in a 6–1 win against the Phoenix Coyotes.[18] His first NHL goal was scored on October 22, 2013, against Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks.[19]
On October 9, 2017, St. Louis Blues enforcer Robert Bortuzzo cross-checked Nelson multiple times while he was down after Nelson collided with a teammate. Bortuzzo was later fined $3,091.40.[20]
On May 23, 2019, after a career year in the 2018–19 season with 53 points under Barry Trotz, Nelson signed a six-year, $36 million contract to remain with the Islanders.[21]
On April 5, 2021, Nelson was named alternate captain of the Islanders in absence of the injured Anders Lee.[22]
On November 4, 2021, Nelson scored a career-high four goals in a 6-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens.[23]
On November 23, 2021, it was announced that Nelson would be out 2-4 weeks with a lower body injury.
International play
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing United States | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 2015 Czech Republic | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| | 2011 United States | |
Nelson plays internationally for the United States. At the 2011 World Junior Championships, Nelson helped the Americans to a bronze medal, recording one assist in 5 games. Nelson was selected as an alternate captain for Team USA in the 2017 IIHF World Championship.[24]
Personal life
editNelson's uncle Dave Christian was on the 1980 United States Miracle on Ice gold medal team, and was an NHL veteran who played over 1,000 games. His grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were both on the 1960 United States gold medal team and founded Christian Brothers, a company that made hockey sticks in Warroad, Minnesota, from 1964 to 2003.[5][25] Another great uncle, Gordon Christian played for the United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics, capturing a silver medal.[26] While his mother did not partake in competitive hockey, she was a figure skater.[27]
Nelson's wife Karley Sylvester is a former Ms. Hockey and competed on the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team.[28] Together, they have four children.[29]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2007–08 | Warroad High School | MNHS | 24 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | Warroad High School | MNHS | 25 | 35 | 23 | 58 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | Warroad High School | MNHS | 25 | 39 | 34 | 73 | 38 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 6 | ||
| 2009–10 | Team Great Plains | MHSEL | 24 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 42 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 42 | 28 | 19 | 47 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 66 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | New York Islanders | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | New York Islanders | NHL | 72 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | New York Islanders | NHL | 81 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 30 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17 | New York Islanders | NHL | 81 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 19 | 16 | 35 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 25 | 28 | 53 | 28 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20 | New York Islanders | NHL | 68 | 26 | 28 | 54 | 32 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 12 | ||
| 2020–21 | New York Islanders | NHL | 56 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 14 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 4 | ||
| 2021–22 | New York Islanders | NHL | 72 | 37 | 22 | 59 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 36 | 39 | 75 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2023–24 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 34 | 35 | 69 | 28 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||
| NHL totals | 840 | 275 | 256 | 531 | 304 | 78 | 27 | 23 | 50 | 40 | ||||
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | United States | WJC |  | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014 | United States | WC | 6th | 8 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 20 | |
| 2015 | United States | WC | | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2016 | United States | WC | 4th | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2017 | United States | WC | 5th | 8 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2024 | United States | WC | 5th | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Senior totals | 40 | 19 | 16 | 35 | 36 | ||||
Awards and honors
edit| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| College | ||
| All-WCHA Third Team | 2011–12 | |
| WCHA All-Tournament Team[30] | 2012 | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Star Game | 2023 | |
References
edit- ^ "Nelson, Brock - New York Islanders - News". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ "Meet the 2010 Draft picks". New York Islanders. July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ Brad Elliott Schlossman (September 24, 2009). "Warroad's Brock Nelson commits to UND". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Kimelman, Adam (August 9, 2010). "Nelson competing for U.S. World Junior spot". nhl.com. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Isles work late to draft Brock Nelson". National Hockey League. June 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "BROCK NELSON". fightinghawks.com. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Fontaine's OT goal gives UMD split, first place". fightinghawks.com. November 6, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Game Notes: First-place Sioux welcome Minnesota". fightinghawks.com. January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Sioux advance to WCHA Final Five with sweep of MTU". fightinghawks.com. March 12, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Conference Awards for North Dakota Men's Hockey". fightinghawks.com. January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "MHKY Notes: UND travels to Alaska Anchorage". fightinghawks.com. November 29, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Eidsness named WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year, Blood and Nelson named All-WCHA". fightinghawks.com. March 8, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Nelson named Inside College Hockey All-American". fightinghawks.com. April 6, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "WCHA goal-scoring leader Nelson honored by CHN". fightinghawks.com. March 27, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Dave Hakstol, Brock Nelson recognized by INCH". fightinghawks.com. March 9, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Nelson Agrees To Terms On Entry Level Contract". nhl.com. April 3, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Betts, Travis (July 10, 2013). "Something to Prove". nhl.com. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "The Skinny - Islanders 6, Coyotes 1". National Hockey League. October 9, 2013.
- ^ Betts, Travis (October 22, 2013). "Live Updates - Islanders vs. Canucks 10/22/13". NHL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Blues' Robert Bortuzzo fined for cross-checking Islanders' Nelson". Sportsnet. October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Islanders Agree To Terms With Nelson On Six-Year Contract". nhl.com. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Kandrach, Sasha (April 5, 2021). "Nelson Appointed Alternate". NHL.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ "Brock Nelson scores 4 goals, Islanders beat Canadiens 6-2". AP News. November 5, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Hockey, USA (May 1, 2017). "Murphy Named Captain of 2017 U.S. Men's National Team". Team USA Hockey. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Prewitt, Alex (November 1, 2016). "Islanders forward Brock Nelson is adding to his family's decorated hockey lineage". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ "Brock Nelson". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
- ^ Jeansonne, John (October 24, 2013). "Relatively speaking, hockey success is in Brock Nelson's blood". Newsday. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Baggot, Andy (January 10, 2014). "Badgers women's hockey: No. 2 UW set for showdown with No. 4 North Dakota". madison.com. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ @Rob Taub. (Tweet) https://x.com/ – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |number= (help) - ^ "WCHA Tourney History". Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database