Nicklas Nelson is emerging as one of Minnesota’s premier young blueliners — and it’s easy to see why. The Monticello defenseman plays a complete game, combining size, skill, and poise to make a difference at both ends of the ice. He’s already been a key piece for Monticello, but don’t be surprised if he takes another big step forward next winter as he enters his junior season.
At 6’1”, Nelson moves well and has a smooth, composed style to his game. He’s not flashy, but he’s incredibly effective. With two years of varsity hockey already under his belt, he plays with a maturity that stands out. Whether it’s making a clean outlet pass, stepping up at the right time, or getting pucks through traffic from the point, Nelson knows how to make things happen.
He’s especially strong when working the offensive blue line, showing great patience with the puck and waiting for the right moment to shoot—often using traffic in front to his advantage. That feel for the game has translated into real production: Nelson scored 23 points as a freshman, then upped that total to 42 points in his sophomore campaign.
Defensively, he’s steady and reliable. He uses his stick well to break up plays and stays in good position, rarely getting caught out of place.
Nelson’s strong play has earned him a spot at the High-Performance Final 54’s later this month (Team Blue, Jersey #5). Nelson earned a spot at the USA Hockey National 15s Development Camp in 2023, putting him on the national radar as one to watch.
With a solid frame, good instincts, and growing confidence, Nicklas Nelson looks poised to take another big step forward. Monticello has a strong presence on the back end—and his name is Nicklas Nelson.
Player Stats by Season & League
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | MN Polars 14U AAA | NAPHL 14U | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Regular |
| 2022-23 | Monticello Bantam A | 15U A | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Regular |
| 2023-24 | MN Polars 15U AAA | MNHP 15O | 14 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | Regular |
| 2023-24 | MN Polars 15U AAA | MNHP 15O | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Playoffs |
| 2023-24 | MN North Stars 15U AAA | MNBEL 15U | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Regular |
| 2023-24 | Monticello High | USHS-MN | 27 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 0 | Regular |
| 2023-24 | MN Polars 15U AAA | NAT1HL 15U | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 0 | Regular |
| 2024-25 | PEL Lakers | PEL | 15 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 0 | Regular |
| 2024-25 | Monticello High | USHS-MN | 28 | 11 | 31 | 42 | 2 | Regular |
Be the first to comment on "From Steady to Standout: Nicklas Nelson Making His Mark"