Brock Nelson

History

2009-10: Brock Nelson played for Warroad High School in Minnesota.  In 31 games for Warroad, Nelson scored 53 goals and added 42 assists for 95 points.  He finished with a +55 rating on the season.  Nelson was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award as Minnesota's top high school hockey player.  Nelson is the nephew of former NHL player and 1980 Team USA member Dave Christian.

2010-11: Nelson saw significant time as a freshman on a North Dakota team that featured one of the most prolific groups of forwards in college hockey. In 42 games for the Fighting Sioux, who captured the WCHA regular season and playoff crowns, he scored 8 goals with 13 assists and was +1 with 27 PMs. Nelson scored 4 of his 8 goals on the power play.

2011-12: Nelson made his pro hockey debut – appearing in four regular season games and two playoff contests with AHL Bridgeport after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders following his sophomore season at the University of North Dakota. He had no points nor penalties and was minus-one in a limited role for the Sound Tigers. Nelson was the Fighting Sioux' leading scorer before signing his contract in April; scoring 28 goals with 19 assists and finishing plus-18 with 4 penalty minutes. Ten of his 28 goals were scored on the power play. North Dakota won the WCHA playoff championship after finishing fourth in the regular season before falling to WCHA regular season champion Minnesota in the WCHA West Regional final.

 

Talent Analysis

Nelson has great speed to go along with a good-sized frame. He also has a very powerful shot and is able to get all of his weight behind it. He is very strong and uses his size to his advantage in both the faceoff circle and in the defensive zone.

 

Future

Nelson has turned pro and is playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL in the 2012-13 season.