Nick Seeler

Nick Seeler (born June 3, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent who played most recently under contract to 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.

Nick Seeler
Seeler with the Minnesota Wild in 2016
Born (1993-06-03) June 3, 1993
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Free Agent
Minnesota Wild
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Draft 131st overall, 2011
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 2016–present

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] He made 6 appearances with the Blackhawks registering 1 assist before the season was prematurely halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After attending the Blackhawks training camp for the delayed 2020–21 season, Seeler failed to make the opening night roster and was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. On January 16, 2021, Seeler was placed on unconditional waivers in order to mutually terminate his contract with the Blackhawks.[21]

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 [22]
Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award (Co-winner) 2016 [23]
Academic All-Big Ten 2016 [24]

References
  1. Wolfson, Ben (July 18, 2013). "Seeler's Past Prepped Him For Future". NHL.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  2. "SEELER ADJUSTING TO PRO GAME". iowawild.com. November 15, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  3. "Jacks draft choice Seeler commits to University of Nebraska-Omaha". juniorhockey.com. February 3, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  4. "Minnesota Wild recalls defenseman Nick Seeler from Iowa". NHL.com. St. Paul: Minnesota Wild. February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  5. Montesano, Scott (May 29, 2012). "Seeler Named to All-Rookie Team". bucshockey.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  6. "Wild draftee, ex-Eden Prairie standout Seeler joins Gophers". foxsports.com. September 3, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  7. "NICK SEELER". gophersports.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  8. "Minnesota Wild Signs Defenseman Nick Seeler To An Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. Minnesota Wild. March 26, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  9. Mizutani, Dane (February 20, 2018). "Finally in NHL, Wild rookie Nick Seeler intends to stay". New York: St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  10. "THREE MORE ASSIGNED TO IOWA". iowawild.com. September 24, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  11. "IOWA BEATS CLEVELAND 4-1 FOR FIRST VICTORY OF 2018". iowawild.com. January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  12. Myers, Dan (February 16, 2018). "First of many 'biggest games' looms for Wild on Saturday". NHL.com. Minnesota Wild. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  13. Myers, Dan (February 12, 2018). "Seeler readies for NHL debut on Tuesday". NHL.com. Minnesota Wild. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  14. Myers, Dan (February 22, 2018). "Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Devils 2". NHL.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  15. Mizutani, Dane (March 13, 2018). "Wild tough guy Nick Seeler set to return from injury suffered in brawl". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  16. Pierce, Jessi (March 13, 2018). "Avalanche at Wild preview". NHL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  17. Campbell, Tim (April 12, 2018). "Wild seeking more from top line in Game 2 against Jets". NHL.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  18. "Wild agree to three-year deal with defenseman Seeler". foxsports.com. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  19. Myers, Dan (November 3, 2018). "Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 5, Blues 1". NHL.com. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  20. "RELEASE: Blackhawks Claim Nick Seeler". nhl.com. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  21. "Blackhawks place Nick Seeler on unconditional waivers". prohockeyrumors.com. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  22. "20 MAVS NAMED NCHC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE". omavs.com. March 11, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  23. "Gophers Announce Award Winners". gophersports.com. March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  24. "Gophers Earn Academic All-B1G Laurels". gophersports.com. March 23, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
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