Playing Career
A highly touted prospect while in high school, Nielsen was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round, 69th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted Nielsen choose to play in the college ranks and played for the University of Minnesota for 4 years. He gradually improved each year and led the team in points during his senior season (1993–1994) and earned a spot on the WCHA second All-Star team the same season.
After college Nielsen joined the Rangers minor league affiliate Binghamton Rangers. He played 3 years with the Binghamton Rangers, most notably scoring 53 points in 76 games during the 1996–1997 season. That year he also made his NHL debut, appearing in 2 games with the New York Rangers.
Nielsen then signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. He split the 1997–1998 season between the Mighty Ducks and their minor league affiliate Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. For the 1998–1999 season Nielsen was able to crack the NHL Mighty Ducks starting lineup, playing 80 games and scoring 9 points. The 1999–2000 season saw Nielsen play in 79 games and score an NHL career high 18 points.
Nielsen was claimed in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the newly formed Minnesota Wild. He played one season with the Wild before retiring from hockey in 2001.
Read more about this topic: Jeff Nielsen
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