Mankato, Minn. --- Former Minnesota State defenseman Casey Nelson, fresh off a junior season that saw him earn Western Collegiate Hockey Association Defensive Player of the Year honors, made his National Hockey League debut this afternoon when he suited up for Buffalo in a home game vs. the Winnipeg Jets.

Nelson had 16:33 of ice time in the game in which Buffalo downed the Jets, 3-2.  He assisted on a goal by Hudson Fasching for his first career NHL point.  Fasching, a University of Minnesota product, was also making his NHL debut in the contest.

Nelson, who signed a free agent deal with Buffalo Tuesday, played three years for Minnesota State (2013-16), concluding his collegiate career with 14 goals and 46 assists for 60 points in 99 games. A native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Nelson registered six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 40 games to rank fourth on the team scoring chart this year while leading the Mavericks in plus/minus (+15) and ranking second in assists (16).

A two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week selection during course of this season, Nelson collected 7-26--33 to rank third on team in points last year while establishing a school mark for most points in a season by a defenseman (NCAA DI-era). He was a 2014-15 All-WCHA Second Team pick and was named to the WCHA All-Academic team in 2014-15 and 2015-16. 

Nelson is the 11th former player from Minnesota State to play in the NHL. Besides Nelson, other former Minnesota State players to play in the NHL include Tim Jackman (MSU 2000-02), Ryan Carter (2004-06), Grant Stevenson (MSU 2001-03), David Backes(MSU 2003-06), Steve Wagner (MSU 2004-07), Jon Kalinski (MSU 2005-08), Travis Morin (MSU 2003-07), Tyler Pitlick (MSU 2009-10), Eriah Hayes (2009-13) and Kael Mouillierat (2006-10).

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