Joel Nystrom Nets First NHL Goal in Breakout Rookie Campaign
It’s been a season of milestones for Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Joel Nystrom, and on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old added another to the list: his first NHL goal.
Nystrom, who made his debut back in October, has quietly carved out a steady role on the Hurricanes’ blue line. But this moment-lighting the lamp for the first time-was a little extra special.
Not just because it was his first, but because it came off a feed from Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the same player Nystrom assisted for his first NHL point earlier in the season. Call it hockey symmetry.
"I'm happy to get my first goal," Nystrom said postgame. "I've been waiting for it.
It was a great pass by KK and I had a lot of space there, so I tried to shoot it. Happy to see it went in."
That shot-and the confidence to take it-has been a theme in Nystrom’s game all year. He hasn’t hesitated to fire the puck, racking up 115 shot attempts and 40 shots on goal through his first 36 games. That kind of volume from the back end doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for a rookie still finding his footing in the league.
And he’s not just putting pucks on net-he’s been putting in the work in all three zones. Nystrom’s emergence came as a result of injuries on the Hurricanes’ blue line, but he’s made the most of the opportunity, stepping into significant minutes and showing poise beyond his years.
“Nys’ been great all season long,” said Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal. “He’s stepped up and played a lot of minutes, especially early there, and has played really well.
He’s fit in nicely with the group and he’s gotten a ton of chances and a ton of shots on net. Kept telling him it was math-one was bound to go in if he kept shooting the puck.
So it’s nice to see him get one. He acted like he’s done it before, and I’m sure he will again.”
That kind of praise from a veteran like Staal carries weight. And it’s not just lip service-Nystrom’s play has backed it up.
Drafted in the seventh round back in 2021, he’s gone from longshot prospect to an everyday NHL contributor in just a few years. His four-year contract, signed in December, speaks volumes about how the organization views his future.
For now, the goal is just another step in what’s shaping up to be an impressive rookie campaign. But if his trajectory so far is any indication, it won’t be the last time we see Joel Nystrom’s name on the scoresheet.
And something tells us, he’s just getting started.