Playing Career
Nielsen was drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round, 87th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. After playing in the Swedish Elitserien since 2001, Nielsen signed a two-year contract with the New York Islanders on May 15, 2006. He has also played for the Danish national team.
With over 216 games in the Elitserien, Nielsen recorded 25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points and 66 penalty minutes.
Nielsen started the 2006–07 AHL season with the Islanders' affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and was recalled to the Islanders on January 5, 2007. He made his NHL debut on January 6. At the time of his recall, he had recorded a point in nine consecutive American Hockey League (AHL) games, which was three games shy of the Sound Tigers' club record.
Nielsen was the first Danish-born player in the NHL since the 1979–80 NHL season. Poul Popiel was an NHL defenceman in the late 1960s and the 1970s. Popiel played his last games in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers in the 1979-80 season. However, Popiel had become an American citizen prior to his debut, leaving Nielsen with the honour of being the first Danish citizen in the NHL.
During the 2010–11 NHL season Nielsen scored a league-leading seven short-handed goals. Near the end of the 2010–11 NHL season Islanders' Captain Doug Weight was quoted as saying of Nielsen “He’s our best all-around player even though his stats don’t necessarily show it". On February 7, 2012, Nielsen signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Islanders.
Nielsen holds the distinction of being the most successful NHL player all-time in shootouts. In fact, he scored a goal in a shootout prior to being credited with his first official NHL goal. His signature move in the competition has been dubbed the "Danish Backhand of Judgement."
Read more about this topic: Frans Nielsen
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