HERSHEY, Pa. — It’s a milestone only seven coaches before him have ever achieved in the history of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Head coach Todd Nelson racked up his 400th win against the Hartford Wolfpack on March 30. It's a journey that now has Nelson sitting among AHL coaching greats.
“It’s been an honor to be a player under Coach Nelly," said Dylan McIlrath, Hershey Bears captain and defenseman. "He’s one of the best to do it and the history shows it now."
Nelson's now 403 career wins are split between his time with the Oklahoma City Barons (2010-2014), Grand Rapids Griffins (2015-2018) and most recently with the Hershey Bears which accounts for 94 of his victories.
Nelson has never had a losing season while coaching in the AHL.
He is only the eighth AHL head coach in the league's history to surpass the 400-win mark. With five games left to play in the 2023-24 season, he is currently only four wins shy of former long-time Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Scott Gordon and current San Jose Sharks goalie coach.
"To reach that milestone is special. That’s a lot of hockey games, a lot of stressful nights," said Nelson. "To get 400, it’s a feather in all our caps. It’s a team sport and I’ve been fortunate to work with good hockey players."
It was a milestone that his players were sure to bring up following the historic win.
"It’s a special feeling knowing that the players care about you and the feeling is mutual and that’s what makes you have success," said Nelson. "You always want a close cohesive group and when players are looking at people’s milestones, especially as a coach, you’re very proud of the milestone but the players want to be a part of it."
Those same players say it’s more than just Nelson’s X’s and O’s.
"All our success really starts with him and then it has that trickle-down effect, so for us, he’s the captain of the ship and he leads us into battle every night," said Hershey Bears defenseman Chase Priskie.
The one who would know best is Hershey Bears captain Dylan McIlrath. Before the Bears, McIlrath played for Nelson on the Grand Rapids Griffins.
"Everyone can talk about how he’s a smart coach but I think the way he brings a team together, the family aspect of it," said McIlrath. "It’s a trust thing and we trust him and it’s been a lot of fun to play for him over the years."
When McIlrath got the call from Washington Capitals management less than two years ago about the possibility of Nelson coming to Chocolatetown to take over head coaching duties, he believed in his heart he was exactly what the franchise needed to get over the championship hump.
"He puts a lot on his players, he demands a lot from us and lets the leadership run the room," said McIlrath. "It’s been a great partnership. He’s a very calm demeanor coach but when push comes to shove, he expects a lot so it’s a perfect balance."
However, in Nelson fashion, the celebration is short-lived. Both he and his players have their eyes set out on, what’s to them the ultimate goal, another Calder Cup.
"His message to us was we got more games to win, we’ve got bigger and better things to be looking onto," said Priskie. "So just enjoy it but we still have some work to be done."
"As a coaching staff we are striving to make our players better," said Nelson. "We want to make sure we go into the playoffs running on all cylinders."
Full interview with Head Coach Todd Nelson:
