HITMEN DRAFT PROFILE - NIELSEN

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Since breaking into the WHL last season, this is the mindset that Hitmen forward Tristen Nielsen has had and this past season was no different.
Nielsen had a breakout season, even after missing a handful of games due to injury, there was no quit in him.
"I'm trying to showcase what I can do and show that my height isn't a disadvantage," Nielsen said. "If I can continue to get better and work hard, I know I can be an impact player.
"End of the day it's about improving each day and help make those around me better too."

In 49 games the 5-foot-8 forward more than doubled his production from his rookie season, ending with 19 goals and 35 points, and notably was the lone Hitmen to record a hat-trick during the campaign.
Along with his point production, Nielsen provided energy every time he stepped foot onto the ice didn't back down no matter the size difference.
"I was never afraid to shy away from the physical part of the game and get in the forecheck to make plays," he said. "It's all about getting stronger to match with the bigger guys and also faster because in today's NHL you can never have enough speed."

After a slow start to the season being held scoreless through the first 10 tilts, Nielsen would catch fire and score four goals in six games before an upper-body injury sustained in November forced him out of the lineup until January.
"I couldn't have gotten through it without the support I got from my family and friends," Nielsen said. "It's easy to get down on yourself when you are injured and want to rush back but I stayed positive and patient to get back to 100%."
And he came back with a vengeance.
Nielsen would find himself on the scoresheet on a regular basis after returning from injury, with his best work coming down the stretch ending the month of March with 11 points (6G, 5A) in eight games to help the Hitmen set a 5-1-2 mark.
"We all took it to another level and showed that we have a special group of guys," he said. "We know that we have the potential to become something and I want to help the team as much as I can in hopes of winning a championship."
After being listed on NHL Central Scouting's initial player to watch list, the 20th overall pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft was left of off the mid-term and final draft rankings, in large part of the time he missed.
Despite being unranked, he remains confident that he left an impression on scouts and knows that anything could happen, but isn't worried if he doesn't hear his name called.
"Whether it happens or whether it doesn't I'm going to keep pushing myself to be better than I was this past season. I'm not going to get down on myself if it doesn't and won't let it affect my game."