Minnesota native Brock Nelson braces for split loyalties as Avs carry 2-0 lead over Wild into Game 3

Facing the Wild

Now, he's intent on breaking some hearts by beating the Wild in their own building. He played in that ice rink several times during high school and when he suited up for the University of North Dakota. In fact, he helped North Dakota win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five tournament in 2011 and '12 inside the building the Wild call home. His North Dakota team also lost at that site in the 2012 NCAA West Region championship game to the Minnesota Gophers. Overall, Nelson said, “some good memories there.” He knows it's going to be loud. “The atmosphere is electric,” said Nelson, whose college coach, Dave Hakstol, is an assistant with the Avalanche. “You want to just get off to a good start, be simple, not trying to force anything. If you come out slow and sluggish and turn the pucks over, obviously they can feed off that, get the crowd into it."

Nelson could've played for the Wild?

There were swirling rumors of teams interested in Nelson at the trade deadline last season, including the Wild. Colorado acquired him from the New York Islanders on March 6, 2025. He had four assists in a first-round series loss to Dallas last season that went seven games. “You never really know how it’s going to shake out,” said Nelson, a first-round draft pick by the Islanders in 2010. “Landed here and we've loved it here." In June, the 34-year-old Nelson signed a three-year extension worth $22.5 million to stay in Colorado. He and his wife, Karley, have four kids. “Getting a taste of it here, the group, the lifestyle, kind of a little bit of everything, it just seemed like a pretty good fit,” said Nelson, who had 33 goals and 32 assists during the regular season. “My family loved it.” His teammates appreciate his even-keel demeanor. Nelson has a goal and an assist as the Avalanche have won six straight playoff games. “Somebody everyone knows they can go and talk to if they need to," captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “Tons of experience. We’ll be leaning on him here as we go down the stretch.” \\\_ AP NHL playoffs: and