Jeff Nielsen

Jeff Nielsen
Jeff Nielsen
Born	September 20, 1971 (age 53); Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S. ntl_team = USA
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	New York Rangers; Mighty Ducks of Anaheim; Minnesota Wild
NHL draft	69th overall, 1990; New York Rangers
Playing career	1994–2001

Jeffrey Michael Nielsen (born September 20, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Minnesota Wild. He is the older brother of Kirk Nielsen. His wife Laura, daughter Kendall, and son Charlie.

Playing career

A highly touted prospect^{[citation needed]} while in high school, Nielsen was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 69th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Nielsen chose to play in the college ranks and played for the University of Minnesota for four years. He gradually improved each year and led the team in points during his senior season (1993–94) 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 three years with Binghamton, most notably scoring 53 points in 76 games during the 1996–97 season. That year he also made his NHL debut, appearing in two games with the New York Rangers.

Nielsen then signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He split the 1997–98 season between the Mighty Ducks and their minor league affiliate Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. For the 1998–99 season, Nielsen was able to crack the Anaheim 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 Minnesota Wild. He played one season with the Wild before retiring from hockey in 2001.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1987–88	Grand Rapids High School	HS-MN	21	9	11	20	14	—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Grand Rapids High School	HS-MN	25	13	17	30	26	—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Grand Rapids High School	HS-MN	28	32	25	57	—	—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	University of Minnesota	WCHA	45	11	14	25	50	—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	University of Minnesota	WCHA	44	15	15	30	74	—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	University of Minnesota	WCHA	42	21	20	41	74	—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	University of Minnesota	WCHA	41	29	16	45	94	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Binghamton Rangers	AHL	76	24	13	37	139	7	0	0	0	22
1995–96	Binghamton Rangers	AHL	64	22	20	42	56	4	1	1	2	4
1996–97	Binghamton Rangers	AHL	76	27	26	53	71	—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	New York Rangers	NHL	2	0	0	0	2	—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Cincinnati Mighty Ducks	AHL	18	4	8	12	37	—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	32	4	5	9	16	—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	80	5	4	9	34	4	0	0	0	2
1999–00	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	79	8	10	18	14	—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Minnesota Wild	NHL	59	3	8	11	4	—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals			234	77	67	144	303	11	1	1	2	26
NHL totals			252	20	27	47	70	4	0	0	0	2