BROOKLYN – The New York Islanders announced that forward Brock Nelson will join Team USA at the IIHF World Hockey Championships in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Nelson, 24, scored 40 points, including a career-high 26 goals this season during his third NHL campaign. The Warroad, Minn. native’s 26 goals were the second-most on the team behind John Tavares’ 33. Nelson’s 40 points (26G, 14A) were just two shy of his career high, set in 2014-15. Nelson also recorded five points (1G, 4A) this postseason, another career-high.
The Islanders first-round pick (30th overall) in 2010 has posted 108 points (60G, 48A) in 235 regular-season games for New York. Since entering the league in 2013-14, Nelson has played 235 of a possible 246 games.
The 2016 World Championships will mark Nelson’s fourth time representing the United States in international competition. He tallied an assist and helped Team USA win bronze in the World Junior Championships in 2011 (Buffalo). Nelson recorded six points (4G, 2A) in seven games in the 2014 World Championships (Belarus) and posted 10 points (6G, 4A) in 10 games to help Team USA earn a bronze medal in the 2015 World Championships (Czech Republic).
Team USA has three points after posting a 1-0-0-2 (w-otw-otl-l) record through three games in Russia.
