Nelson Emerson Los Angeles Kings - Assistant Coach

[ Back to Coaches Index ]

Emerson had most recently served as the Head Coach for the Los Angeles Junior Kings Midget AAA Under-18 Team, for whom he also held the title of Director of Hockey Operations. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Emerson also worked as a Coaches Aide with the Kings during the 2003-04 season.

Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Emerson, a right wing, played with the Kings from 2000-02 and recorded 29 points (16 goals and 13 assists) and 79 penalty minutes in 119 regular season NHL games. He also played in 19 playoff games with the Kings and had five points (2 goals and 3 assists) and six penalty minutes. The Kings acquired Emerson and Kelly Buchberger from the Atlanta Thrashers for Donald Audette and Frantisek Kaberle on March 13, 2000.

Originally selected by the St. Louis Blues in the third-round (44th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, Emerson recorded 488 points (195 goals and 293 assists) and 575 penalty minutes in 771 career regular season NHL games with the Kings, Thrashers, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets and Blues. In 40 career NHL playoff games, he had 22 points (7 goals and 15 assists) and 33 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, Emerson, 40 (8/17/67) enjoyed four standout years at Bowling Green State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), where he was a two-time All-America, a three-time CCHA All-Star and he was the school’s all-time leading scorer with 294 points while becoming the first player to be a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award three different seasons. At Bowling Green, Emerson was a teammate of current Kings defenseman Rob Blake.

Nelson and his wife June have four children: daughters Mackenzie and Madelyn, and sons Quinn and Blake. They reside in Manhattan Beach.