Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Nelson akatamba hockey paWarroad High School, kwaakanga ari wokupedzisira nokuda kweMinnesota Mr. Hockey Award, yakapiwa mutambi mukuru weHockey wechikoro chesekondari cheMinnesota. Akapedza mwaka wa2009-10 aine zvibodzwa makumi matatu nezvipfumbamwe nemakumi matatu neshanu ekubatsira kwemapoinzi makumi manomwe nematatu mumitambo makumi maviri neshanu yeWarroad. Musi waGunyana 24, 2009, Nelson akazvipira kutamba Division 1 hockey yeYunivhesiti yeNorth Dakota mushure mekufunga Bemidji State neNebraska-Omaha uye akazotora chikamu mu2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp. Nelson akasarudzwa wechi30 neNew York Islanders yeNational Hockey League (NHL) mu
2010 Entry Draft.