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. 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. His first NHL goal was scored on October 22, 2013 against Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. 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. 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. On April 5, 2021, Nelson was named alternate captain of the Islanders in absence of the injured Anders Lee. On November 23, 2021, it was announced that Nelson would be out 2-4 weeks with a lower body injury. International play 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. Personal life Nelson's uncle Dave Christian was on the 1980 United States Miracle on Ice gold medal team, and 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. Another great uncle, Gordon Christian played for the United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics, capturing a silver medal. While his mother did not partake in competitive hockey, she was a figure skater. Nelson's wife Karley Sylvester is a former Ms. Hockey and competed on the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team. Together, they have three children. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs International Awards and honors References External links 1991 births Living people American men's ice hockey centers Bridgeport Sound Tigers players Ice hockey people from Minneapolis National Hockey League first-round draft picks New York Islanders draft picks New York Islanders players North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey players People from Warroad, Minnesota