Centennial native Nelson joining ‘dream school’ Denver with commitment to NCAA D-I Pioneers
Payton Nelson is coming home.
Nelson, a Centennial native who has played junior hockey since 2022 in the BCHL, NAHL and USHL, recently announced his commitment to return to the Rockies and play for NCAA Division I Denver.
He’ll enroll as a freshman for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
“The opportunity came up when (Denver assistant coach) Tavis MacMillan gave me a call in mid-April,” said Nelson. “We talked on the phone and then a couple weeks later, I met with the staff at Magness Arena and then took advantage of the offer to play at Denver this year. I was very excited to be extended the opportunity to be part of a program with such great history and the talent of the players and coaching staff. I am also very excited to be playing and attending college so close to home.
“Denver has always been a dream school of mine.”
Since 2022, Nelson has played for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and Des Moines Buccaneers, NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness and BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
“The past couple seasons helped me develop my game by increasing my on-ice maturity as well as teaching me how to play different roles within a team to make an impact,” Nelson said. “Playing with bigger, stronger, faster players in the USHL when I was 17 immediately showed me the place I needed to get to physically to be able to compete in that league. I think spending time in a great league like the USHL as well as the BCHL and NAHL surrounded by so many future college players helped me develop my game for college.”
In the classroom at DU, Nelson said he’ll be starting with an undeclared major in business and most likely end up pursuing finance.
“Some expectations and goals I have for my time at DU are to mature on and off the ice,” said Nelson, who grew up playing for the Littleton Hawks and Colorado Thunderbirds. “I also want to compete to the highest level, do well in school, make an impact within the team to help us succeed in any way I can, and win another national championship.”
Photo/Garrett James Photography
— Matt Mackinder
(July 16, 2025)
