Nelson Appointed Alternate

Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes.
For some, like Anders Lee, leadership is an innate quality that seemingly comes with ease. For others, like Cal Clutterbuck, it's a reflection of the kind of a commanding presence one possesses. For a calming influence like Josh Bailey, it's exhibited with one's ability to marshal through their detailed actions and preparation. But for many, like Brock Nelson, it's earned through the process of undergoing trials and tribulations which ultimately foster one's maturation.

So, while the Islanders have approached the void of losing their instinctual leader and captain in Lee - who is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing ACL surgery - with a committee approach, it was a meaningful nod for Head Coach Barry Trotz to deservingly appoint Nelson as an alternate captain in the meantime.
"He's earned the respect of the leadership," Trotz said of Nelson. "They know how important he's become in that room. He has a good sense of self now. He knows he's a good player and that he has a big piece in the room now. That's got to help his confidence. With the 'A', he's earned that right over the course of the years."

Since Trotz arrived on Long Island back in the summer of 2018, he's worked intricately one-on-one with Nelson to encourage the evolution of the 29-year-old - as a player and a professional - into becoming a dominant and clutch centerman and one that is relied heavily on by his teammates. He currently is tied with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle for the team lead in goals with 13 and has totaled 22 points (13G, 9A) through 38 games.
Nelson has flourished since Trotz took over the Islanders' helm and has produced career-high seasons in back-to-back years, as he's matured with the afforded opportunities he's received. Whether it's been the increased ice time, the nightly workload of facing the opposition's top talent, or competing in pivotal situations with reps on the power play, penalty kill and in overtime, he's continued to consistently rise to the occasion and solidify that crucial trust with his coaching staff and teammates.
In doing so, he's emerged as a distinguished leader among the group and the recent stitching of the 'A' on his jersey is a large-scale validation of that growth.
"With Brock, he's grown from a little bit from not necessarily [being] considered a core player to becoming a core player," Trotz continued. "Most of that is because his game has evolved to be a really solid two-way centerman in the National Hockey League and respected in the room; because of his journey. The guys in the room have seen his journey as the struggles early as a pro, where they maybe put him in more of a third-line role and he was asked to do things that maybe aren't really comfortable for him on a game-to-game basis. Now, he's evolving. He's grown his game."

For a longstanding member of the Islanders leadership and core group like Bailey, who has witnessed Nelson's growth firsthand - as his linemate and close friend - and can attest to the leadership Nelson has provided even prior to Lee's absence.
"He's earned it," Bailey said. "He hasn't changed who he is, he's the same person whether he had that 'A' on or not. He shows up every day and works hard. He provides leadership with the 'A' or without it. He plays the game the right way. He brings it every night. He's a lot of fun to play with."
While Lee's leadership is truly irreplaceable, the Islanders have and will continue to rely on the veterans throughout their lineup to step up. It hasn't been the easiest transition without Lee, but even in just the last few games, the Islanders' core group - Nelson included - have been more impactful and ushered the team in a positive direction.
"It's special for sure," Nelson said of wearing the 'A.' "We have a number of guys who have been around a while. You look at [Nick Leddy], who won a [Stanely Cup]. It used to be on him as well, guys that have been here for a long time. To be able to fill in - obviously not fill in the same role as Anders, we miss him and we need him in the locker room as our leader - but for the time being, it's pretty cool to have that ['A'] on there."