Taylor Nelson joins hockey coaching staff at Augustana University
Augustana University hockey head coach Garrett Raboin announced the addition of Taylor Nelson to his coaching staff on Monday.
Nelson joins the Vikings after spending the past two seasons at UMass Lowell.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Taylor, his wife Claire, and three young children back to the Midwest,” Raboin said. “He has a tremendous reputation as a player, recruiter and developer of talent. His commitment to team, family, and excitement to build make him a tremendous addition to our men's hockey program."
While at UMass Lowell, he helped the River Hawks advance to the 2022 NCAA Tournament before falling to the eventual national champion Denver.
Prior to UMass Lowell, Nelson spent four seasons on staff at Canisius serving as the recruiting coordinator. He also saw responsibility for the penalty kill and goaltender development.
From 2015-2017, Nelson was an assistant coach for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL where he was once again responsible for the penalty kill and goaltender development. His first season with the Storm, he helped coach the team to the Clark Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the league.
Among his protégé’s, goalie Jake Kielly signed an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks in 2019. Nelson coached Kielly while he was with the Storm.
A graduate of Ferris State, Nelson was the goalkeeper for the Bulldogs while helping them to the Frozen Four in 2012 as a senior. He garnered AHCA/CCM All-America First Team honors for the season in which he held a 21-7-3 record and a 2.10 GAA.
Following his graduation, he played in 73 professional games, spending time with the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL and the Wichita Thunder of the CHL.
He then began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Ferris State where he helped with video preparation, goaltending and scouting reports.
Nelson hails from Regina, Saskatchewan. He and his wife Claire have two sons, Suter and Nash, and a daughter, Nori.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on Twitter @PO_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Augustana adds Taylor Nelson as assistant hockey coach
