(Photo Courtesy of the Tulsa Oilers)

When the Tulsa Oilers needed a big goal last season, they turned to rookie forward Josh Nelson to provide it.

Nelson displayed a knack for scoring big goals at key moments, striking twice to force overtime, twice to win in the extra frame and scoring either Tulsa’s first or final goal of regulation for a 6-1-0-0 record in the seven outings he found the goal column.

Now, the Lockhart, Ill. Native is returning to the Oilers for the 2025-26 season. The club announced the re-signing of the speedy forward on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Nelson earned the Oilers’ Most Improved Player Award, notching 28 points (9-19-28), leading all Oilers-contracted rookies and all rookie forwards in assists during his first full professional season.

Nelson’s most memorable performance came in a first-star outing on Feb. 23 in Fort Wayne, forcing overtime and scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Komets.

Oilers head coach Rob Murray has been impressed with Nelson’s growth as the season progressed and looks for him to continue improving in 2025-26.

“You can see his point totals rose, but his development went beyond just that,” Murray stated. “In the locker room, on the ice, — he just had more confidence. He is one of the fastest players around and when he is using his speed, he is hard to play against. That speed along with his ability to play wing and center allowed us to play him up and down the lineup in a variety of roles and with a variety of other players.

“He is determined, has great conditioning and lots of talent. We look forward to watching his continued growth and seeing what he brings to the table this season.”

The 6-foot, 185-pound forward’s production rose significantly in the final quarter of the regular season, compiling 14 points (5-9-14) in his last 16 games, including a four-game, six-assist streak.

Nelson joined the Oilers in the closing months of the 2023-24 season, scoring his first professional goal in his debut on March 6 against the Wichita Thunder.

The following week on March 13, Nelson tallied the game-winning goal in a 5-3 victory over the Thunder.

The most improved member of last season’s squad has also dressed in all 10 of Tulsa’s post-season games during his tenure.

Prior to turning pro, Nelson signed with London of the OHL as a free agent, ultimately logging 70 points (33-37-70) in 206 games with the Knights. He became one of only a handful of Americans to play more than 200 games with the club.

The left-handed pivot added another 22 points (12-10-22) in 28 OHL games with the Barrie Colts before recording 67 points (32-35-67) in an 84-game USports career with St. Francis Xavier University.

Nelson — the only American on the team — led the X Men with 17 goals during the 2022-23 season. He is the first announced Oilers’ signing for the 2025-26 season.

Tulsa kicks off the 2025-26 season on the road, heading to Coralville, Iowa on Oct. 17 for a 7 Pm season-opening battle with the Iowa Heartlanders.