Nelson back for second season

Published on September 20, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI.--- It's open-up the throttle and full speed ahead for the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury as the UHL's and minor pro hockey's top winning team is maintaining its activist role in plotting and otherwise preparing for the rapidly-approaching 2005-06 campaign and their quest with zest of another title defense.

To that end, in another major stroke of accomplishment in roster re-loading for the 2005-06 season, the franchise with the most Colonial Cup coronations in UHL history, will be bringing back one of their all-time premiere players in the club's rich and storied history operating under the Fury moniker. On this date, the Fury Club Owner and Team President Tony Lisman, in concert with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that premiere, perennial all-star center JEFF NELSON will be returning to Muskegon for the upcoming 2005-06 season.

When the Fury formally convene their 14th training camp in early October, NELSON, 32, will be set to embark on his 14th pro season and his third tour of duty with the Fury and in the UHL. The sleek, silk, satin centerman enjoyed an absolutely brilliant first full season with the hometown team last season, acting as one of its supreme catalysts in the successful culmination of a grand sweep of three major league titles; the Central Division, Tarry Cup and Colonial Cup crowns. In the process, through his majestic presence in the Muskegon lineup, the Fury became the first team ever in UHL annals to lay claim to four Colonial Cup Championships with three of those produced over the course of the past four years.

Last season, in the 2004-05 campaign, Nelson utterly dominated the league with his polished, precision and penulti-mate play. In earning his second pro championship, the 6-0 190lb left-hand shooting forward finished a lofty eighth in UHL league-wide scoring with 94-points in 78-games on 23-goals, 71-assists along with 65-PIM. Included in his regular season output were 9-PPG, 5-FG and a superb 3/8 marksmanship in the OTSO for a percentage of .375. Nelson's 71-assists ranked as fourth most in the league while his 7-GWG tied for the team leadership and ranked him tied for second overall in the league. The embodiment of the complete team player, "J. Nel" achieved a masterful +26 rating which ranked as third best on the Fury club and second best among all Muskegon forwards. He also essayed four 2-goal games and four 4-point masterpieces in the Fury surge to the circuit's summit and a regular season closing record of 80(51-20-9) for an all-time club record 111-points.

The smooth-move center's vast experience and rich resume were paramount to the Fury's success through their inex-orable ascent to Colonial Cup IV. In the playoffs, in 17-games, the native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan registered 17-points on 4-goals, 13-assists to finish tied for fifth in UHL post-season scoring prowess. With all four of his playoff strikes stoked through the power play, Nelson tied for circuit second in the man advantage goal power department. His 13-assists were third most and his 9-PP/assists ranked in the second slot circuit-wide. Once again, in the playoffs, the Nelson name shined as his +10 rating ranked tied for third best in the UHL.

The former AHL and IHL star-studded standout climaxed his first full Fury season in royal and regal fashion, being honored as the Fury Team Co-MVP as well as going solo in the exclusive capturing of the Team Most Inspirational Player Award. Nelson also represented the Muskegon delegation at the UHL All-Star Classic in Glens Falls, NY.

His brother and coach Todd Nelson obviously expresses an exulted mood in the return of one of the UHL's premiere performers. "Certainly, it goes without saying, it is great to have Jeff back for another season with us. Every team that looks for success must have strength up the middle. With Todd Robinson, and now Jeff, we have assured ourselves of strength. When you also add Billy Collins to the mix, we have much-needed depth as well at a very important position. As for Jeff, he does everything and does it all so well. He is vital to our cause in all key situations and he is the consummate professional. He sets a great example in that he works hard every day in every way. He is the ultimate all-around player; an AHL caliber player. We feel very fortunate to have him here with us for another season. He is one of the most complete players in the UHL."

The younger, playing Nelson actually made his official Fury debut in the 2003-04 season when he prodigiously ave-raged over two points per game in just 10-games. In those short but most memorable Muskegon moments, he authored a staggering 21-points on 7-goals, 14-assists and an excellent +5 rating. Despite his brief 10-games stint, J. Nelson was acclaimed with the UHL's coveted weekly honor of Sherwood / UHL Player of the Week on two occasions.

The "J. Nel" cameo act, however, closed when he was summoned to Grand Rapids where he also flourished in grand fashion for the remainder of the year. In fact, in his second separate tour of duty with the Griffins, the playmaking pivot finished fifth in team scoring, engineering 44-points in 64-games on 14-goals, 30-assists with 4-PPG and 4-GWG. His lofty +13 rating ranked a lofty third best for the Fury's AHL affiliate.

A former second round choice, 36th overall, in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Nelson's com-posite profile is one of a magical, top-flight scoring ace of eight seasons in the AHL and another three years in the IHL, along with 52-games experience in the NHL; with Washington 1994-95 and 1995-96 and the Nashville Predators in 1998-99.

Prior to his Muskegon tenure, Nelson performed in the 2002-03 season under NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks as a member of the AHL Cleveland Barons. There, he was his club's second leading point-meister, collecting 60-points on 12-goals and team-best 48-assists in playing all 80-games. His 3-GWG and 12-multi-point games each shared the club leadership and his 34-PP/Points; (2-32-34) led Cleveland in the latter category as well.

For Jeff Nelson, his personal listing of individual career attainments is one of mystical majesty. In the 2001-02 season, his lone European escapade, playing in Germany, he finished among the league-leaders with (13-14-27). In the 2000-01 season, his fifth and final one with AHL Portland, he was third in team scoring with 80(18-37-55). In 1999-00, he ranked second in goals (24) and points (54). In 1998-99, his second year with IHL Milwaukee, he was third in Admirals' scoring with 70(20-31-51), also appearing in 9-games that same season with NHL Nashville. The 1997-98 year found him finishing second in the Milwaukee point-production parade with 52(20-34-54).

Playing with brother Todd in 1997-98 with Grand Rapids, Jeff ranked a lofty 10th IHL league-wide and runner-up in Griffins team scoring with 82(34-55-89), earning a coveted berth on the IHL All-Star Team. Perhaps, though, his most prolific seasons came consecutively in 1993-94 and 1994-95 with Portland, where, again, as a teammate of Todd's, he distinguished himself as the AHL's most pre-eminent center. He was crowned his club's scoring king each campaign, registering 83-points in just 64-games on 33-goals, 50-assists in'93-94, finishing among the top 10 league scoring elite. While the following year, he and Todd shared their first-ever championship together in the form of the AHL Calder Cup crown with Jeff enjoying his best season to date, amassing an amazing 107-points in 80-games on 34-goals, 73-assists to finish fourth in league scoring. J. Nelson capped the campaign with a crescendo, being anointed team winner of the Player's Player Award. It was the second such time in which he had been so honored, capturing the same laurels later in the 2000-01 season, also with Portland.

Jeff Nelson has been a natural from the very start; seemingly born to score. During his remarkable four-year career in the WHL with Prince Albert, three times he led his Raiders in point-productivity, twice eclipsing the prestigious 100-points plateau while earning 97-points in one other season. Three times he was named to the WHL All-Star Team and two times he was heralded Canadian Major Junior Scholastic Player of the Year. Moreover, Nelson was acclaimed Team MVP and Rookie of the Year. In the 1990-91 season, he established an all-time WHL scoring record by registering a phenomenal 56-games' point-scoring streak.

When he begins his 14th pro season next month, Nelson will be approaching several major career milestones. Among them will be, needing just 44-more games to reach the coveted 1,000 mark. Also, he is just 16-goals from pro career 300, only 35-assists from 600 and 51-points hence from 900. His all-time pro career numbers read: 956(284-565-849) with 725-PIM.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 20, 2005


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