Five years in one program builds familiarity that is hard to shake. Through 124 games with Minnesota State University, graduate forward Jamie Nelson had 103 points, third all-time in program history. Her name is all over the history books. She was also the program’s first-ever WCHA Rookie of the Year.
Nelson meant a lot to the Mavericks, and the program shaped her just as much. When she entered the transfer portal last spring and ended up with the Gophers, another conference team, she knew the season would inevitably bring a reunion.
“When I went in the portal, I knew this game would happen,” Nelson said. “Technically, I’ve been thinking about it since April. The anticipation has been a long time coming.”
Months have passed since the decision — enough time for the emotions to settle. Now, she will face her former team in a home-and-home series this weekend. It is impossible to ignore the personal side, that she will be playing against former teammates in the rink she spent half a decade skating in.
“I spent a lot of time there. Five years is a long time,” Nelson said. “It’s almost like a reunion of some sorts. I still have friends on the team.”
Nostalgia may linger in the background, but it will be strictly business when the puck drops. Nelson has settled into her new role with the Gophers, having 13 points through 14 games, part of a team that is already confident in their identity.
At 12–2, the Gophers have faced almost every team in the conference already. Their start to the season includes splits with No. 1 University of Wisconsin and No. 3 Ohio State University, along with a sweep of No. 4 University of Minnesota-Duluth. They have efficiently handled the teams lower in the standings, too.
Head coach Brad Frost has plenty of reasons to be confident.
“First of all, love this team. They’re a really fun group. They’re a joy to coach every day, and they’re pretty darn talented too,” Frost said.
They have had some big moments against top-ranked teams, but what stands out most is their consistency in games where a large lead might tempt a team to loosen its structure. The Gophers do not sacrifice their habits, and that is what quietly builds contenders.
Nelson sees it the same way. Last weekend’s 9–2 win over Bemidji is an example of the pressure they put on a team from start to finish, no matter their rank.
“Some teams get lazy in games like that,” Nelson said. “But we’re fighting to still get the puck back and do all the little things right. That’s where we learn the most about our identity.”
One part of their steadiness has been from senior forward Josefin Bouveng, in the midst of a 13-game point streak and sitting near the top of the team’s goal leaders. Her growth has come on the defensive end, too, becoming one of the most reliable penalty killers.
“She’s always been a goal scorer and sees the ice really well,” Frost said. “Now she’s playing on the penalty kill, developing her 200-foot game, and getting more ice because of it.”
Nelson said she has felt that impact directly after spending a few games on a line with Bouveng.
“We rely on her in every situation. She’s just steady,” Nelson said.
Steadiness has been the story for the entire roster. The Gophers have confidence skating all their lines because they trust each player to bring effort on both sides of the puck.
In last weekend’s sweep of Bemidji, 15 different players recorded points. They recorded over 50 shots in both games, including 63 on Saturday. This was not just rapid shots fired from the perimeter. They won battles net front and committed smart shot choices with the puck.
“We had quantity, but we had quality too,” Frost said.
The Gophers will look to replicate that formula against the Mavericks, who are 6–7–1 on the season. Despite being swept by Ohio State last weekend, the Mavericks got standout goaltending from junior Hailey Hansen. She held her own with 79 saves over the weekend. Beating her will be one of the biggest challenges for the Gophers.
That brings it back to Nelson. She spent two seasons playing in front of Hansen during her five years in the Mavericks locker room. She knows the building and the atmosphere well. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have not faced the new version of Nelson, who has evolved as a Gopher.
“I’m just excited to get the puck on the ice and get it going,” Nelson said.
