The Bruins have wasted no time adding to their prospect pipeline with an intriguing free-agent pickup from the collegiate ranks.
Just days after the University of Minnesota was bested by Boston University in the NCAA Regional Final in Sioux Falls, the Golden Gophers’ captain, Jaxon Nelson, is signing with the Bruins.
Boston announced Tuesday that it has signed Nelson to a one-year, entry-level contract that carries an NHL cap hit of $870,000. Nelson’s contract with Boston will go into effect next season, with the 24-year-old center reporting to the Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout (ATO) deal for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.
Nelson has an intriguing skillset that could translate to the NHL ranks, especially for a Bruins organization that has made a concerted effort at stockpiling assets at the center position over the last few seasons.
Nelson is a big body at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds who projects as a bruising, two-way pivot at the pro level if he continues to grow his overall game.
“Jaxon is a big, right shot, two-way center with leadership qualities as captain of a very successful collegiate program,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. “He has shown consistent growth throughout his time at the University of Minnesota and the Bruins are excited to have Jaxon join our organization.”
Nelson had a strong finish to his fifth and final season with Minnesota, scoring 11 goals over the final eight games of his collegiate career — including three tallies in the NCAA tournament against the University of Nebraska Omaha and BU.
After scoring just 31 points over his first 90 games with the Golden Gophers, Nelson recorded 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) over his final two seasons with Minnesota.
The Bruins have been busy over the last few weeks when it comes to bolstering their organization with college free agents — signing Notre Dame defenseman Drew Bavaro and his teammate, netminder Ryan Bischel.
As for other potential college targets, the top prize on the market in Quinnipac star wing (and Lincoln, Mass. native) Collin Graf has still yet to sign with a team. New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver, citing a source, reported on Tuesday morning that the Bruins are “not in” on Graf.
Loading…