Former Ferris State All-America Goaltender Taylor Nelson Hired As USHL Assistant Coach

Big Rapids, Mich. - Yet another former Ferris State University hockey standout has moved into the coaching ranks as the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Tri-City Storm recently announced the addition of Taylor Nelson as an assistant coach for the 2015-16 campaign.

Both Nelson and Ben Gordon were tabbed as assistants by new Storm head coach and general manager Bill Muckalt. Most recently, Nelson served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Bulldogs in 2014-15 under FSU head coach Bob Daniels as he received his coaching start and also assisted with the team's video preparation.

Nelson joins a list of former Ferris State hockey players who have moved into coaching, including current Detroit Red Wings' head coach Jeff Blashill along with current RPI head coach Seth Appert among others.

"I think Taylor's going to be a great addition," Muckalt said. "He went to the Frozen Four as a starting goaltender with Ferris State so he's going to be able to help our goalies on a day-to-day basis. He's also going to help with our video scouting and be a younger voice for our players."

The Bulldog alum turned pro after four seasons in Big Rapids where he compiled a career 35-20-10 record. As a senior in 2011-12, he led the Bulldogs to their first-ever Frozen Four appearance and the program's second Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season championship with a terrific senior season campaign by posting a 21-7-3 record with a 2.10 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.

"I'd like to thank the Storm for giving me the opportunity to be part of the organization," Nelson said. "My family and I are really looking forward to being there and getting a nice new start. I'm also excited to put a team on the ice that's going to win hockey games and move players on to the next level."

Following his four-year collegiate career, Nelson spent time as a goaltender in the professional ranks. He played his rookie season for the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL before moving to the Wichita Thunder of the CHL the following year. Overall, he appeared in 73 professional games and tallied nearly 2,000 saves while producing 25 victories and eight times.

The 6-1 goaltender from Saskatchewan ranks sixth all-time in wins (35) and fourth all-time in career goals against average (.917) in Bulldog history. In addition, he claimed 2011-12 CCM Hockey All-America First Team accolades and was named the Dean Davenport "Bulldog Of The Year" recipient as the school's outstanding male student-athlete.

Nelson, who received an invitation to participate in the 2012 San Jose Sharks Development Camp, was also tabbed as the Bulldogs' 2011-12 team Most Valuable Player Award recipient.

The standout wrapped up his senior year in the college ranks listed among the nation's top 20 players in every goaltending statistical category and put together one of the top individual single-season performances by a goaltender in school history. He also claimed MVP honors at the NCAA Midwest Regional as FSU secured the regional crown to advance to the Forzen Four in Tampa, Fla. Nelson was a first-team All-CCHA representative.

For his efforts at the end of his senior campaign, Nelson was named the March/April Gongshow Goaltender of the Month in the CCHA after leading the Bulldogs on a historic NCAA Tournament run.

In addition to ranking among the school's career leaders in victories and save percentage, Nelson's also among the top 10 performers in saves, goals against average, winning percentage, shutouts and games played by a goaltender.