Jeff Nielsen

Jeffrey Michael Nielsen (born September 20, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played as a right winger in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Minnesota Wild. He is the older brother of Kirk Nielsen.

Jeff Nielsen
Born	(1971-09-20) September 20, 1971 (age 53) Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
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
National team	United States
NHL draft	69th overall, 1990 New York Rangers
Playing career	1994–2001

Playing career

Nielsen was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 69th overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than immediately turning professional, Nielsen played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Minnesota. He steadily improved each year, leading the team in points during his senior season (1993–94) and earning a spot on the WCHA Second All-Star team.

After college, Nielsen joined the Rangers' minor league affiliate, the Binghamton Rangers. He played three years with Binghamton, 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 organization. He split the 1997–98 season between the Mighty Ducks and their minor league affiliate, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. For the 1998–99 season, Nielsen became a regular in the Anaheim lineup, playing 80 games and scoring 9 points. In the 1999–2000 season, Nielsen played in 79 games and scored 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

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000	United States	WC		7	1	1	2	2
Senior totals				7	1	1	2	2

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-WCHA Second Team	1993–94
WCHA All-Tournament Team	1994	[1]