Garths been interested in signing him for a while now... but we didnt know what Brocks decision was going to be. He had recently put up tweets about hitting the books, so of course some of us wondered whether that was a hint that he was not going to sign.
Fortunately for us, it wasnt. I am absolutely thrilled about this!
From ESPNs (and former Isles beatwriter) Katie Strang:
One of the New York Islanders' top prospects has decided to turn pro. Former first-round draft pick Brock Nelson has decided to forego his final two years at the University of North Dakota. The 20-year-old center agreed to terms with the Islanders on a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday afternoon. Nelson, picked 30th overall in 2010, flourished in his first two seasons with the Fighting Sioux. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound Nelson led the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with 28 goals this year. He also became the school's youngest 20-goal scorer since Jonathan Toews (2005-06) during what was a standout 47-point sophomore season....
From The Isles official site:
The New York Islanders announced today that forward Brock Nelson has agreed to terms on an Entry Level Contract (ECL).
Nelson, 20, led the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux in points (47) and goals (28) in 42 games as a sophomore. The Warroad, MN, native ranked third in the nation in goals and tied for 12th in points.
Nelson was named to the all-tournament teams at both the Red Baron Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Five and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) West Regional. He finished the year with five goals in his last five playoff games, leading UND to a third straight Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA champion and a berth in the regional championship game. Nelson was named the Inside College Hockey “WCHA Breakthrough Player Of The Year” and to the 2011-12 All-College Hockey News Second Team.
The Islanders selected Nelson in the first round, 30 overall, of the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He scored 21 points (8g/13a) in 42 games as a freshman at the University of North Dakota. Nelson recorded a point in every game of his senior season at Warroad High School in Minnesota, finishing with 39 goals and 34 assists in 25 games and being selected one of 10 finalists for the state’s prestigious “Mr. Hockey” Award.
From Lighthouse Hockey:
University of North Dakota sophomore Brock Nelson has signed an entry level contract (ELC) with the New York Islanders. The 2010 30th-overall pick will join their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the rest of the season on an amateur tryout (ATO), according to Newsday's Arthur Staple. Nelson had an outstanding sophomore season on a very good top line, with WCHA observers increasingly talking up his potential as an NHL forward. His 28 goals, 19 assists and 47 points in 42 points led the team. He makes an interesting 20/20 hindsight case, as the Islanders traded up from the second round (35th and 58th picks) in 2010 to grab him with the last pick on Day 1 of that draft. Adding spice to Draft Day's blurry lens, he was a Minnesota high school product, so questions lingered whether the (listed) 6'3", 205 lb. kid could duplicate his performance against better competition.
At North Dakota, he's displayed the hockey sense and drive for an NHL career that makes you momentarily ponder the whole "hockey genes" angle -- his uncle is longtime NHLer and 1980 Miracle On Ice winner Dave Christian, and his grandfather and great uncle were on the 1960 fairly miraculous gold medal-winning Olympic squad....
From Brock himself on Twitter:
Brock Nelson
@Bnelson29 Would like to thank everyone who was a part of a great time here at UND and was not an easy decision but will never forget it.#Sioux
Looking forward to some more quotes from Brock himself, Ill keep my eyes and ears peeled!
The only photo so far from the press conference...
This point has been edited by Chris TMC: 04 April 2012 - 01:13 AM
