Jordan Nelson Commits to Mankato

Fargo Force forward Jordan Nelson’s future got a lot clearer this week; he’s made his decision where he’ll be lacing up his skates next season.  The 2010 North Dakota Mr. Hockey winner has verbally committed to play hockey for Minnesota State University-Mankato next season. "I'm really excited about it.  I really like their coach and just had a great feeling about the school and team.  I feel like it's going to be a great fit for me" Nelson said.

The Mavericks, who are tied for 4^th in the WCHA this year, have been a huge surprise to those that weren’t paying attention.  However, anybody in the hockey world saw that they were heading in the right direction coming into this season.  They replaced Troy Jutting with a proven winner in new Head Coach Mike Hastings and they have a handful of very talented underclassmen that include forwards Matt Leitner, Jean Paul Lafontaine and Teddy Blueger, defenseman Zach Palmquist, and goalie Stephon Williams.

The Mavericks are going to return a strong core of players next season and not one of the teams above or tied with them this season will remain in the WCHA (Denver, St. Cloud and UND will go to the NCHC and Minnesota and Wisconsin will go to the Big 10) so Nelson has to be feeling lucky to have gotten on with the ascending Mavericks.  However, the excitement surrounding the commitment is surely reciprocated by the Maverick’s coaching staff.  Coach Hastings and his crew are getting a very nice recruit late in the game.

“They are getting a reliable guy; a day-in, day-out kind of player that can also put up numbers for them.  Jordan should be an every night kid for them if he picks up where he leaves off here” said Assistant Coach Jesse Davis.  Coach Davis was a member of Jason Herter’s coaching staff that drafted Nelson in the first round two years ago and he’s seen the development in his game over the last couple seasons.  “Jordan’s really come into his own as a Junior player the end of last season and this season.  The last 20-30 games he’s really become the player we expected him to be when we drafted him (in the first round).  It’s a tough transition from High School to this league.  I think it’s tougher to adjust from High School hockey to our league than it is from our league to college.  He should have a pretty smooth transition next year" said Davis.

Nelson is relieved to have the decision over with so he can focus on the rest of his season with the Force who are in second in the USHL.  "It's nice to know where I'm playing next year.  I can finally go out and just focus on playing hockey and not worrying about next year.  We have a good team this year; I think we have the ability to go pretty far.  We're in second now, but would obviously like to get up into first, get home ice advantage, and hopefully make it all the way to the Clark Cup.  It's nice to just be able to focus on that stuff now."

Beyond the Pond wants to congratulate Jordan and thank him for always being open to talking with us!  Williston and the State of North Dakota are proud of you!  Mankato is getting a great player and an even better guy!