Sports stats



USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Sign Luverne's Jaxon Nelson to USHL Tender

March 30, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux Falls Stampede are excited to announce they have signed Luverne's Jaxon Nelson to a USHL tender agreement for the 2016-17 season. A tender allows a USHL club to sign a player directly to their team in exchange for their first-round pick in the USHL Phase One Draft in May. Nelson was the leading scorer in all of Minnesota State High School Hockey last season. This marks the first time in franchise history the Herd have tendered a player.

"We're very pleased to have Jaxon join the Stampede next year," said Stampede head coach/general manager Scott Owens. "He's a big, strong forward with natural offensive ability and someone we're excited to work with on a daily basis. We welcome Jaxon and the Nelson family to the Stampede organization and look forward to the next two years together."

Nelson is coming off a phenomenal sophomore year just over the border in Minnesota at Luverne High School. In just 25 games this season, Nelson tallied 113 points on 70 goals and 43 assists while leading the Cardinals to the Class 1A, Section 3 championship game. His 113 points and 70 goals were tops amongst any high school player in the state of Minnesota, Class A or AA. The Magnolia, MN native averaged 4.52 points per-game and tallied three or more goals in 16 of his 25 games including a season-high seven-goal outburst against New Ulm on January 8th.

"It's really special because no one from Luverne has ever had an opportunity to do this," said Nelson. "This is a great opportunity for me to not only develop as a player, but also represent the people of Luverne and show that we aren't just a farm town. It really means a lot to me to become a member of the Stampede."

With Luverne just 32 miles from Sioux Falls, Nelson continues the Stampede's tradition of adding local talent to their roster. Pierre native Matt Farris played for the Herd from 2007 to 2010 while Sioux Falls native Zeb Knutson skated with the Stampede from 2012 to 2014.

Nelson, who turned 16-years-old today, began his varsity career at Luverne as an 8th grader during the 2013-14 season. He posted 62 points (26g, 36a) in 25 games while leading the Cardinals to their first ever Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament appearance in St. Paul. The following season, the center/winger recorded 83 points (41g, 42a) in 25 games as Luverne advanced to the Section 3 championship game.

Not only does Nelson bring great skill to the Herd, but size as well. He stands at 6-foot-2, 192-pounds at just 16 years-old. The sophomore has already committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota when his USHL playing days are over.

Now in its fifth year, the USHL tender process allows teams to sign up to two 2000 birth year players prior to the 2016 USHL Draft. The first "tender" for a team would take the place of a first-round pick in Phase One of the USHL Draft, and if the team tenders a second player, that would take the place of a second-round selection in Phase One.

The Stampede are back in action this Friday and Saturday when they travel to Des Moines and Lincoln. Game times are 7:05 PM each night and fans can catch both games on KELO News Talk 1320-AM, 107.9-FM and KELO.com. The Herd enter the weekend just two points behind Fargo for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just five games remaining in the regular season.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central