Nelson brings home state talent to Force lineup

The Fargo Force coaches admitted that they needed to be spot on with their early picks in the 2011 United States Hockey League Entry Draft. Selecting Jordan Nelson with the ninth overall pick was a great start. The Williston, N.D. native brings an offensive threat to the lineup with junior experience and a home state connection.

“To have local talent play in Fargo is a pretty big thing for our locker room and for our fans,” Fargo Force Assistant Coach/Director of Player Personnel Jesse Davis said.

The organization also intentionally went after kids that had junior hockey experience. Nelson, who won the 2010 North Dakota Mr. Hockey Award, had a successful season in the North American Hockey League last year.

“I think playing in the NAHL last year and having 63 games of experience under my belt will be of great help playing in the USHL next year,” Nelson said. “I got to play with a lot of talented kids last year and it made me work that much harder to try and keep up to their talent level.”

He more than kept up. Nelson scored 28 goals and 16 assists for 44 points in 63 total games. Both parties are hoping the success in the NAHL parlays into success in the USHL.

Fargo is set to lose their top three scorers from a season ago. Jimmy Mullin (Miami), Chad Demers (Air Force), and Tanner Kero (Michigan Tech) will all be playing collegiate hockey next year and the Force will look to Nelson to help fill the void.

“We expect him to step in and be a big part of our team next year,” Davis said. “He’s going to come in and he’s going to do a lot of good things.”

Nelson is from the state and has family in the Fargo-Moorhead Area. Tack on a chance to play in the nation’s top junior hockey league and there is a perfect recipe for excitement.

“What I’m most excited for about moving to Fargo is being able to play for a great organization and in front of great fans,” Nelson said. “I also have family there which will be nice to have around.”

“When coach [Byron] Pool called me and told me the news I was surprised and very excited.”

The Fargo Force coaching staff was just as surprised and excited that he was still on the board when the team went on the clock with the ninth overall pick. Davis said there were some surprises early in the draft that allowed the talented forward to slip to the home state team.

“We were surprised he was there. We were happy he was there. And as soon as we saw he was there we jumped on him,” said Davis. “It was a no-brainer to take him.”

The club wanted a talented forward with some junior hockey experience. They will be getting a lot more than that in Nelson. Not only is he a big time forward who led North Dakota in scoring with 73 point his senior year, he also has a year of junior hockey seasoning. Equally as important, Fargo will maintain its local connection.

“He just kind of picks up off of Chad Demers leaving, going back to that North Dakota connection,” said Davis. “Chad was a pretty big fan favorite because of that.”

Nelson will work on becoming the next North Dakota connection fan favorite. The 19-year-old is very excited for the opportunity to play in the USHL and even more excited to be coming to Fargo.

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By: Tim How

Photo: Tom Stromme – Bismarck Tribune