Eliteprospects
USA Danny Nelson
#11 Univ. of Notre Dame / NCAA - 25/26
1-time U18 WJC Gold Medal 1
2-time U20 WJC Gold Medal 2
Date of Birth
Aug 03, 2005
Position
C/LW
Age
20
Height
6'3" / 191 cm
Place of Birth
Maple Grove, MN, USA
Weight
216 lbs / 98 kg
Nation
USA
Shoots
L
Youth Team
Osseo-Maple Grove YHA
Contract
-
NHL Rights
New York Islanders New York Islanders / Unsigned
Drafted
2023 round 2 #49 overall by New York Islanders

Danny Nelson doesn't just pursue the puck carrier, he guides them into pressure and goes for the breakup without chance. He steps into opponents, eliminates off-puck threats, supports plays, and shows a knack for getting open inside space. Nelson's a play-driver deeper in the lineup. He looks for controlled exits and entries, both as a passer and carrier. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

Brother: Henry Nelson

© Photo: Dan Hickling

Use/Embed statistics

Danny Nelson Statistics

S Team League GP G A TP PIM +/-   POST GP G A TP PIM +/-
2019-20 MN Bruins 15U AAA MNBEL 14U 10* 1* 2* 3* -* -* |
Osseo-Maple Grove Bantam AA 14U AA -* -* -* -* -* -* |
2020-21 MN Penguins 15U AAA MNBEL 14U 15* 8* 6* 14* -* -* |
Minnesota Blades 15U AAA 15U AAA -* -* -* -* -* -* |
Osseo-Maple Grove Bantam AA 15U AA -* -* -* -* -* -* |
2021-22 Team Twin Cities Orthopedics UMHSEHL 20* 12* 11* 23* 14* -* | Playoffs 3 1 2 3 2 -
Maple Grove High USHS-MN 31* 16* 24* 40* 25* -* |
U.S. National U17 Team NTDP 11* 7* 4* 11* 12* -* |
USNTDP Juniors USHL 6* 4* 2* 6* 4* 6* |
Green Bay Gamblers USHL 5* 1* 0* 1* 4* 1* |
USA U17 (all) International-Jr 4* 4* 4* 8* 8* -* |
2022-23 U.S. National U18 Team NTDP 62* 21* 26* 47* 52* 24* |
USNTDP Juniors USHL 23* 8* 9* 17* 40* 10* |
USA U18 WJC-18 7* 4* 3* 7* 0* 4* |
2023-24 Univ. of Notre Dame NCAA 30* 9* 14* 23* 32* 5* |
USA U20 WJC-20 7* 1* 1* 2* 0* 4* |
2024-25 Univ. of Notre Dame NCAA 36* 13* 13* 26* 35* -4* |
USA U20 “A” WJC-20 7* 4* 2* 6* 0* 1* |
2025-26 Univ. of Notre Dame “C” NCAA 16* 7* 4* 11* 18* -4* |

Danny Nelson Tournament Statistics

S Team League GP G A TP PIM +/-   POST GP G A TP PIM +/-
2019-20 B14 - District 3 MNHP-14 3* 1* 0* 1* -* -* |
2021-22 B16 - Section 5 MNHP 3* 0* 0* 0* -* -* |
B16 - Red (Final 54) MNHP 3* 0* 1* 1* -* -* |
Team Kelly USA-S16 5* 2* 0* 2* 6* -* |
2025-26 U.S. Collegiate Selects Spengler Cup -* -* -* -* -* -* |

Danny Nelson Career Totals

League Years GP G A TP PPG PIM +/- | Years GP G A TP PPG PIM +/-
14U AA 1 -* -* -* -* -* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
15U AA 1 -* -* -* -* -* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
15U AAA 1 -* -* -* -* -* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
International-Jr 1 4* 4* 4* 8* 2.00* 8* -* | 0 * * * * * *
MNBEL 14U 2 25* 9* 8* 17* 0.68* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
MNHP 1 6* 0* 1* 1* 0.17* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
MNHP-14 1 3* 1* 0* 1* 0.33* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
NCAA 3 82* 29* 31* 60* 0.73* 85* -3* | 0 * * * * * *
NTDP 2 73* 28* 30* 58* 0.79* 64* 24* | 0 * * * * * *
Spengler Cup 1 -* -* -* -* -* -* -* | 0 * * * * * *
UMHSEHL 1 20* 12* 11* 23* 1.15* 14* -* | 1 3 1 * 2 * 3 * 1.00 * 2 * - *
USA-S16 1 5* 2* 0* 2* 0.40* 6* -* | 0 * * * * * *
USHL 2 34* 13* 11* 24* 0.71* 48* 17* | 0 * * * * * *
USHS-MN 1 31* 16* 24* 40* 1.29* 25* -* | 0 * * * * * *
WJC-18 1 7* 4* 3* 7* 1.00* 0* 4* | 0 * * * * * *
WJC-20 2 14* 5* 3* 8* 0.57* 0* 5* | 0 * * * * * *
* Some data is missing to provide a correct summary.

Danny Nelson Career Highlights

Season
Awards by season
Player Biography and Trivia

Drafted 2021, 2 #26 overall by Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL Futures Draft

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #43 by Elite Prospects

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #99 by FCHockey

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #28 by TSN/Craig Button

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #49 by McKeen's Hockey

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #45 by TSN/McKenzie

2023 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #22 by NHL Central Scouting