NHL Debut: Forward Tristen Nielsen Makes NHL Debut at 25 With Avalanche
Denver, CO – Former Vancouver Giants forward Tristen Nielsen made his NHL debut on Tuesday night, helping the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“When that moment hit, it was just a bundle of joy hitting me all at once,” Nielsen said to the media on Tuesday morning about getting the call up. “I’m trying to soak it all up and enjoy it, but I also know that I want to come here and make an impression.”
Welcome to the NHL, Tristen Nielsen! 👏
📺: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T pic.twitter.com/qeI3QMY556
— NHL (@NHL) November 5, 2025
The 25-year-old winger recorded four hits in 5:25 of ice-time in his first NHL game. He wore #57.
A product of Fort St. John, B.C., the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Nielsen was never drafted to the NHL, yet earned a two-year NHL contract with the Avalanche that was signed on October 27, 2025. He was called up to the Avs after a strong start to his first year with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, recording nine points (5G-4A) in 11 games.
"I really liked his game [in preseason]. He was highly effective. He found a way to not only play physical in a straight line, sort of power-forward game, but he also showed flashes of skill."
Coach Bednar says Tristen Nielsen WILL make his NHL debut tonight.
Full Presser⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IOuqHgbmEu
— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) November 4, 2025
Nielsen had previously played four full seasons with the Abbotsford Canucks, helping them win their first ever Calder Cup last season.
Prior to graduating to the professional ranks, Nielsen played parts of three seasons with the Giants, culminating in the bubble 2020-21 season where he recorded 32 points (15G-17A) in 22 games. The year prior, he registered a career-high 30 goals and 65 points.
Over 135 career WHL regular season games with Vancouver, Nielsen totalled 132 points (59G-73A). Prior to that, he played 106 WHL games with the Calgary Hitmen.
