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University of Denver Athletics

2025-26 Men's Ice Hockey Roster

18 Payton Nelson

  • Position Forward
  • Ht./Wt. 5-11 / 178
  • Class Freshman
  • Hometown Centennial, Colorado
  • Last Team Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)

Biography

Before Denver: Spent 2024-25 with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and recorded 17 points (11g/6a) in 53 games … Added two assists in four outings during the 2025 BCHL postseason … Played parts of two seasons in the United States Hockey League from 2022-2024 with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Des Moines Buccaneers … Split 2023-24 between Des Moines and the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League, skating in 29 USHL games (1g/1a) and 24 NAHL contests (7g/7a) … Began 2022-23 with Muskegon and recorded two assists in 10 games before finishing the year with Des Moines and registering five points (2g/3a) in 31 outings … Played for the Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA in 2021-22 where he recorded 92 points (39g/53a) in 61 games … Played for the Chicago Mission organization from 2019-2021.
 
Personal: Has an older brother … Graduated high school in 2023 from Michigan International Prep … Also attended high school at Lyons Township from 2019-2021 and Cherry Creek in Colorado from 2021-2022 … Intends to major in business … Mother was a Division-I swimmer at Southern Illinois … Enjoys aviation and likes to play golf … Wants to play hockey as long as he can and pursue aviation … Used to play baseball, basketball and soccer as a kid.
 
Other: Picked by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the fifth round at No. 76 overall in the 2022 USHL Entry Draft … Selected by the Tri-City Americans at No. 201 overall in round 10 of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft … Played for the Colorado Thunderbirds at the 2018 Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament.
 
Why DU: “It has always been a dream of mine to play hockey at the University of Denver since I was a little kid. I am from Centennial so I grew up watching DU hockey, and it's an honor and privilege to be able to be a part of the successful reputation they have created here at Denver.”
 

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

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Career Statistics

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