Nice props to Fighting Sioux recruit Brock Nelson but I don't think you can really count Brock Nelson committing to the Fighting Sioux as being a coup since his uncle Dave Christian played for UND. Also, UND assistant coach Cary Eades was the head coach in Warroad from line 1995 till 2004 so maybe just Eades still has some connections to the Warroad High School. Geographically UND is closer to Warroad than Minnesota.
Warroad (Minn.) High School power center Brock Nelson recently committed to the University of North Dakota, and the Fighting Sioux can really count this one as a coup in smuggling the emerging star out of state right from under the noses of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Nelson, who is currently playing this fall in the Midwest Elite League until the local high school season starts in about six weeks, is one of Red Line's favorite early line sleepers for the 2010 Draft. Not many scouts outside of Minnesota have ever heard of him, and he didn't blossom until last season, so he's never been a part of the whole U.S. select process. So he may suffer from underexposure for now, but that won't last much longer.
Nelson, 6-2/205, with a great stride and powerful shot, also has a very strong bloodline in the sport. His uncle is Dave Christian, one of the key scoring cogs on the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning squad. Christian is also a former UND All-American and won a national championship with the Sioux before launching an NHL career that spanned over 1000 games and nearly 800 points, so he likely had some influence on young Nelson's decision. [USA Today]
Redline writer must be unaware that in NW Minn, UND and UMinn are on fairly even terms when it comes to recruiting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there was some errors in reviewing Uncle Dave's hockey career, specifically his time at UND. While he was not on a NCAA champ or All-American, he did score the cliching goal vs. Minn in 1979 to help win UND's first McNaughton cup in 12 years, setting the stage for national titles in 80 & 82. Dave was busy with something else in 1980.
Any chance Nelson plays in the USHL next season?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I haven't heard nothing, but I imagine with his impending possible high draft he probably will be one of the ones that come in next season.
ReplyDeleteUSA 1980 Olympic Champions in hockey.
ReplyDeleteBrock is a great kid .. Warroad keeps turning out potential NHL draft picks .. also .. keep your eye on Brett Hebel too .. they have played together now, this year included, a total of (3) years .. the last two NHL draft picks from Warroad include Aaron Marvin (3rd round / 89th overall pick in 2006) and T.J. Oshie (1st round / 24th overall pick in 2005) .. Marvin is entering his junior season at St. Cloud State University and Oshie is a currently in his second year with the St. Louis Blues .. Section 8A keeps producing hi end NCAA and professional hockey players.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of Nelson leaving WHS early .. don't see that happening. Warroad kids are very loyal to Hockeytown USA.
Oshie was property of Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL in 2004-05. He played before and after Warroad's undefeated record in 2005at 29-0-2 and captured the 2005 MN State Class A championship.
He is the only 1st round draft choice to come out of Warroad, MN.
It also marked the first time in it's very storied school's history that the Warriors finished with an unblemished record at 29-0-2.
Other draft choices for Warroad include Max Oshie, Henry Boucha, Alan Hangsleben, David Christian, Scotty Knutson, Eddie Christian, John Bjorkman, Corwin Saurdiff, Wyatt Smith.
There was zero chance he was going to go to Minnesota, Bemidji had a better shot at him than the Gophers.
ReplyDeleteI got to see Brock play when they came to Moorhead for a game last year. He has a very heavy shot. It'd be nice to see him with the Sioux. (TJ Oshie influence?)
ReplyDelete