NY Islanders prospects Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman win Gold at World Junior Championship

For the first time in the 49-year history of the World Junior Championship, Team USA has claimed the Gold Medal in back-to-back tournaments, defeating Finland 4-3 in OT.

Danny Nelson, the NY Islanders' second-round pick in 2023 was part of the 2024 team that won gold, playing a checking line role with fellow Islanders prospect Quinn Finley. 

This year, Nelson played in the top 6 for the Americans, centering the second line. The Maple Grove, MN, resident scored four times, third most on the team, and added two assists. 

Eiserman and Nelson take Gold at the WJC

Nelson’s size and physicality played a major role for the Americans, but his goal-scoring came at crucial moments, cementing Head Coach David Carle’s decision to name Nelson one of his Alternate Captains.

Cole Eiserman didn’t get the ice time he was hoping for entering the tournament but he sure made the most of it.

After the first two games of the tournament before taking on Canada, Eiserman was moved from his role on the second line alongside Nelson to being the 13th forward. Instead of sulking about his demotion, he relished in it, finishing with three goals and four assists.

“I think especially in these tournaments, you’ve got to play your role and that’s one thing we harped on is that you’re with a bunch of really good hockey players, and whatever role you get, you’re going to do it to the best of your ability,” Eiserman told FloHockey before yesterday’s game. “If they want me to go out there for just power play or a five-on-five shift, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability and try to score goals.”

Nelson will return to Notre Dame and Eiserman to Boston University to continue their NCAA seasons. Fellow Isles prospect and member of Team Finland will head back to the London Knights of the OHL for his first season of North American Hockey.