NY Islanders prospect Danny Nelson continues growth at Notre Dame alongside family

There was a time that Danny Nelson was considered the New York Islanders' top prospect by some, and that wasn't considered a good thing. That had less to do with Nelson and more with the lack of top prospect talent in the Islanders' system at the time (not having a 1st round pick for four seasons will do that). While the drafting of Cole Eiserman, the acquisition of Calum Ritchie, and the soon-to-be top pick overall have pushed Nelson down the team's prospect rankings, it doesn't mean Nelson's growth hasn't continued.

It’s been nearly two years since the Islanders selected Nelson 49th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, and the 19-year-old center is proving he is a prospect that can become an all-around contributor at the next level when his time comes. The Maple Grove, Minnesota native just wrapped up a breakout sophomore season at Notre Dame, posting a career-high 13 goals and 26 points while showcasing a strong two-way game and leadership on and off the ice.

Nelson’s impact went far beyond the scoresheet. He led the Fighting Irish with a .572 faceoff win percentage—good for first in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation—and tallied four power-play goals, showing off his versatility on special teams. He also helped Team USA secure back-to-back gold medals at the World Juniors, contributing four goals and six points in the 2025 tournament.

“I definitely put a big emphasis on faceoffs, I want to play with the puck,” Nelson told NewYorkIslanders.com. “It all starts with faceoffs, so it’s important in a team game. For me I’m getting 10-20 reps in after every practice, it’s a constant thing we keep working on.”

Despite Notre Dame’s 12-25-1 record, Nelson and his teammates upset Minnesota in the Big Ten quarterfinals, giving fans a glimpse of his competitive fire. He’ll be back for his junior season under new head coach Brock Sheahan, calling it the start of a “new era” for Irish hockey.

Islanders fans should be excited about Nelson's stats and character. He’s known for staying after practice to take 10–20 extra faceoff reps and brings a professional mindset to everything he does. Nelson also gets a unique boost playing alongside his older brother Henry at Notre Dame and has a younger brother, Sammy, committed to the program for 2027–28.

“It always a very competitive household no matter what we were doing, whether it was competing to get the last chicken tender or something like that,” Nelson said. “Growing up just shooting pucks in the garage together, it was always something competed against each other so it’s awesome to have their support, and I support them in everything they do and cheer for them.”

With Islanders Development Camp around the corner, Nelson is set to visit Long Island for the first time. “There’s a lot of great people in the organization,” he said. “I’m excited to get out on the ice, learn as much as I can, and take in Long Island.”