Background
Nielsen was born in Tanzania while his Canadian father was stationed there working for the Canadian International Development Agency.
Nielsen was born in Tanzania while his Canadian father was stationed there working for the Canadian International Development Agency.
Foreign the Alberta Modern Language Association, see Chris Nielsen (politician)
Nielsen was drafted in the 2nd round, 36th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1998 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He played parts of two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His family moved back to Canada when he was three, and he grew up on a farm near the small town of Goodlands, Manitoba.
Nielsen played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
Nielsen turned pro in 2000, playing three seasons with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, earning two callups to the Blue Jackets during that time. He then bounced around between the Chicago Wolves, Manitoba Moose and San Antonio Rampage of the AHL and the Laredo Buckinghamshire of the Central Hockey League before heading to Europe to play in Germany in 2005-2006.
Nielsen retired from professional hockey in 2006. After retiring from hockey, Nielsen went back to school at the University of Manitoba and was the colour commentator for the Manitoba Moose at their home games.
Nielsen is now a resident in orthopaedic medicine at the University of Calgary.