Ty Nelson

September 2024- Nelson appeared to take a step back offensively in 2023-2024 compared to years prior. He still managed 16 goals, 36 assists for 52 points in 54 games and sat eighth in goals by a defenseman. He will graduate to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2024-2025 and start gaining reps against men. A knock on Nelson in his draft year was his size, but he’s shown his offensive capability and powerful shot at the junior level. The AHL will show if he can grow his game enough to make the NHL. Alex Wyatt

July 2022 – Nelson was drafted 68th overall by the Kraken in the early third round. Pat Quinn

December 2021 – Selected first overall in the 2020 OHL Draft, Nelson was robbed of his first season as the OHL canceled their season due to the pandemic. He has been making up for lost time, however, playing a prominent role for North Bay and holding a significant points lead among draft-eligible OHL blueliners.

Don’t be fooled by Nelson’s small stature – he is a sturdy, physical defender who displays an attacking mindset all over the ice. He is a strong skater with good balance and quick feet, allowing him to defend rushes aggressively. Nelson deploys an active stick and pounces on opposing puck carriers at the first sign of hesitation to disrupt possessions. Not only does he lead with his stick to attack the puck, he makes a habit of finishing with the body to try and eliminate his man from the play. His aggressive nature shows up offensively as well as he is always eager to join the rush or push play with a long stretch pass from his own zone. Like the rest of his game, Nelson’s shot packs a punch and he does a good job of finding space to hammer one-timers from the point. Though his size may present more challenges as he progresses, the Battalion blueliner seems to have the mental makeup to overcome those challenges and reach his potential as a top-four NHL defenceman. Nick Richard