Jaxon Nelson grew up in Magnolia, Minnesota, a small town of just over 500 people near the state’s border with Iowa. After being introduced to the game of hockey at three years old, Nelson set the Minnesota state high school record with 78 goals in 2016 at Luverne High School. To this day, the forward is seventh all-time in Minnesota high school hockey points leaders with 290.
After an impressive high school campaign, Nelson earned a chance to continue his hockey career at his dream college, the University of Minnesota, winners of five NCAA Division I titles.
“Something you want to do as a Minnesota kid is go to the best Minnesota school,” Nelson said. “I toured there and it was an easy decision with all the tradition of hockey over there.”
During his senior season at Minnesota, Nelson skated in all 40 games, earning a career-high in goals, assists, and points while serving as an alternate captain. With a long history of great players and leaders that have come through the Twin Cities, Nelson never took his captain status for granted.
“Just to be able to be a part of that group is something special,” Nelson said. “Honestly there wasn’t a lot of weight on my shoulders because every guy in the locker room had great personalities and were obviously great players as well.”
Nelson returned for his graduate season at Minnesota, increasing his goals and assists from the previous season while also skating in every game of the season for the second consecutive season.
After finishing out a collegiate hockey career full of accolades, Nelson signed a one-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Boston Bruins and began his pro hockey career with their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins in Rhode Island.
Although Nelson was playing just one level under the NHL, he said his time in Minnesota prepared him well for the moment.
“There’s a lot more games and you have to learn how to take care of your body and live on your own,” Nelson said.
After his contract ended with the Bruins, Heartlanders assistant head coach Mike Lysyj reached out to Nelson about coming to Iowa. A chance to play under new head coach Chuck Weber close to his hometown was an opportunity he couldn’t resist.
One month into his inaugural season with the Landers, Nelson received the ECHL Player of the Month award thanks to his six assists and league-leading six goals. Although the honor is technically an individual award, the 25-year old thanks his teammates for getting him there.
“We got a really good group of guys and we’re growing closer, which is a big thing in pro hockey,” Nelson said.
Head coach Chuck Weber, who announced to the team that Nelson was the player of the month after a practice session, has nothing but high praise for his new forward.
“Jaxon has been a valuable addition to our team,” Weber said. “He has found the confidence in his offensive game we always knew he had and plays with a maturity that is extremely beneficial to the Heartlanders.”
After a five game slide, the Heartlanders have picked up two straight road wins and Nelson is sticking to his coach’s favorite saying: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
“It’s just about taking it day by day,” Nelson said. “Just have to focus on the next practice and the next game and don’t worry about the losses too much.”