| Nick Seeler | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 3, 1993, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Height Weight |
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb) |
| Position | Defense |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL team F. teams |
Chicago Blackhawks Minnesota Wild |
| NHL Draft | 131st overall, 2011 Minnesota Wild |
| Playing career | 2016–present |
Nick Seeler (born June 3, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round, 131st overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Seeler played for the University of Nebraska Omaha and University of Minnesota.
Playing career[]
As a student at Eden Prairie High School for four years, Seeler played on both the junior varsity hockey team and school golf team. However, he saw limited playing time due to his short stature until after a growth spurt in his junior year where he began to develop more as a player.[1] Before graduating, Seeler had been honored as a First-Team All-State selection, an All-Metro First Team choice, All-Lake Conference and a member of the All-Tournament Team in the State Tournament.[2]
While in his senior year at Eden Prairie High School, Seeler committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey for the University of Nebraska Omaha.[3] He was later drafted 131st overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.[4] Following the draft, he then went on to play with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League for the 2011–12 USHL season where he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.[5] He stated that he felt going through the USHL before joining the collegiate league would be the best way to prepare for the jump from junior hockey to college.[2]
Seeler then played for the University of Nebraska Omaha for two seasons before transferring to the University of Minnesota in 2014.[6][7] He was not allowed to play in the 2014–15 season due to NCAA transfer rules.[7][6] He then played one season for the University of Minnesota before signing an entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild and joining their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Wild, for the 2016–17 AHL season.[8][9]
After attending the Minnesota Wild's 2017 training camp, Seeler was reassigned to the AHL to begin the 2017–18 season.[10] He scored his first AHL goal on January 7, 2018, against the Cleveland Monsters.[11]
Seeler was called up to the NHL from the Iowa Wild on February 11, 2018.[4] He made his NHL debut the next day against the New York Rangers.[12][13] Seeler recorded his first NHL point on February 22, 2018, in a game against the New Jersey Devils. He assisted on Chris Stewart's goal to help the Wild win 4–2.[14] After his first NHL fight against Luke Witkowski on March 4, 2018, Seeler missed three games due to a bicep strain.[15] He returned to the lineup on March 13, 2018, to play in a 5–1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.[16] Seeler made his playoff debut during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets.[17] He recorded two points in five games as the Wild lost in five games to the Jets.
As a restricted free agent, Seeler agreed to a three-year, $2.175 million contract with the Wild on July 1, 2018.[18] On November 3, after going pointless in his first 12 NHL games that season, Seeler recorded two assists and his first NHL goal in a 5–1 win over the St. Louis Blues.[19]
During the 2019–20 season, on February 3, 2020, Seeler was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks off waivers from the Wild.[20]
Personal life[]
His parents are Dan and Kris Seeler and he has two older sisters, Ashley and Kelly. Kelly was a member of the Minnesota's national championship hockey team in 2012.[7][6]
Career statistics[]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2008–09 | Eden Prairie High | USHS | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | Eden Prairie High | USHS | 25 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Eden Prairie High | USHS | 22 | 7 | 27 | 34 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2011–12 | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | 32 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | 26 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | U. of Nebraska-Omaha | WCHA | 34 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | U. of Nebraska-Omaha | NCHC | 36 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | University of Minnesota | B1G | 36 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Iowa Wild | AHL | 57 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 109 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Iowa Wild | AHL | 49 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 22 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 2018–19 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 71 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Iowa Wild | AHL | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 105 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 100 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | ||||
Awards and honors[]
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| USHL | ||
| USHL All-Rookie Team | 2012 | [5] |
| College | ||
| NCHC Academic All-Conference Team | 2014 | [21] |
| Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award (Co-winner) | 2016 | [22] |
| Academic All-Big Ten | 2016 | [23] |
References[]
- ↑ Seeler's Past Prepped Him For Future (July 18, 2013). Retrieved on January 29, 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 SEELER ADJUSTING TO PRO GAME (November 15, 2016). Retrieved on January 29, 2019.
- ↑ Jacks draft choice Seeler commits to University of Nebraska-Omaha (February 3, 2011). Retrieved on January 29, 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Wild recalls defenseman Nick Seeler from Iowa. Minnesota Wild (February 11, 2018). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Seeler Named to All-Rookie Team (May 29, 2012). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Wild draftee, ex-Eden Prairie standout Seeler joins Gophers (September 3, 2014). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 NICK SEELER. Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ Minnesota Wild Signs Defenseman Nick Seeler To An Entry-Level Contract. Minnesota Wild (March 26, 2016). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ "Finally in NHL, Wild rookie Nick Seeler intends to stay", St. Paul Pioneer Press, February 20, 2018. Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ THREE MORE ASSIGNED TO IOWA (September 24, 2017). Retrieved on January 29, 2019.
- ↑ IOWA BEATS CLEVELAND 4-1 FOR FIRST VICTORY OF 2018 (January 7, 2018). Retrieved on January 29, 2019.
- ↑ First of many 'biggest games' looms for Wild on Saturday. Minnesota Wild (February 16, 2018). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ Seeler readies for NHL debut on Tuesday. Minnesota Wild (February 12, 2018). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Devils 2 (February 22, 2018). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- ↑ "Wild tough guy Nick Seeler set to return from injury suffered in brawl", St. Paul Pioneer Press, March 13, 2018. Retrieved on March 13, 2018.
- ↑ Avalanche at Wild preview (March 13, 2018). Retrieved on March 13, 2018.
- ↑ Wild seeking more from top line in Game 2 against Jets (April 12, 2018). Retrieved on April 21, 2018.
- ↑ Wild agree to three-year deal with defenseman Seeler (July 1, 2018). Retrieved on July 1, 2018.
- ↑ Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 5, Blues 1 (November 3, 2018). Retrieved on November 4, 2018.
- ↑ RELEASE: Blackhawks Claim Nick Seeler (February 3, 2020). Retrieved on February 3, 2020.
- ↑ 20 MAVS NAMED NCHC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE (March 11, 2014). Retrieved on January 1, 2019.
- ↑ Gophers Announce Award Winners (March 22, 2016). Retrieved on January 1, 2019.
- ↑ Gophers Earn Academic All-B1G Laurels (March 23, 2016). Retrieved on January 1, 2019.