
Brock Nelson
Birthday: 1991-10-15 | Position: C |
Eligible for draft: 2010 | Shoots: Right |
Drafted: 2010 | Height: 6-3 |
Acquired: 1st round (30th overall), 2010 | Weight: 205 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- B
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.
2012-13: Nelson made his NHL debut in the decisive Game 6 of the Islanders playoff series with Pittsburgh and was the leading scorer for New York's AHL affiliate Bridgeport in his first pro season. He had no points and was -1 in just under eight minutes of ice-time in the Penguins' 4-3 overtime victory. Nelson scored 25 goals with 27 assists and was an even plus/minus with 52 penalty minutes in 66 games for Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers missed the AHL playoffs after finishing third in the Northeast Division.
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 is playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL in the 2013-14 season, but could see action with the Islanders during the season.