Hockey is all good for California's Nielsen
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Leaf program writer George Millar has been treating KIJHL fans with an inside look of players on the Green and White for years.
Now Millar has graciously accepted an offer to give that same insight to readers of The Nelson Daily.
Today Millar profiles Nelson Minor Hockey grad Bryce Nielsen.
Bryce Nielsen arrived in Nelson at the suggestion of the coach of the Winkler Flyers when the Manitoba Jr. A team released him.
“Neely”, who hails from Laguna Hills, California, centers Aaron Dunlap and James Sorrey.
The line has been a very productive match-up . . . that is until Nielsen suffered an upper body injury that has kept him out of the lineup of late.
Winning the prestigious Kelowna Major Midget tournament with his Wenatchee Wild team-mates rates as Nielsen’s best experience in hockey.
He has no worst hockey experience. He calls his dad the most important person in his hockey development, and he draws on both parents’ wisdom for his own philosophy of life.
Enrolled as an on-line student of the Saddleback (California) Junior College, when he is not at the rink or studying, Bryce enjoys fishing, video games and hanging out with the guys.
“Neely” names the hamburger as his favourite food and Pawn Stars as his favourite TV program.
Miracle is his movie choice. He selects Will Farrell as his favourite actor. Hip-hop and rap are his type of music and Aer is his favourite performer.
The Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Ryan are his professional hockey favourites.
His goal for this year is to make it to a Junior A team. Five years from now he expects to be in college, and in ten years he hopes to be playing at the professional level.
His pre-game routine includes eating pasta, and a set warm-up sequence. He has no “superstitions” surrounding how he puts his gear on. He wants you to know that he loves hockey.
The Leafs are back on the ice Friday hosting Creston at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
