Nolen Geerdes (D, L, 5’11”, 177, Madison Capitols, 04/30/2007, Western Michigan)
Nolen Geerdes is a fluid, cerebral two-way defenseman who displayed elite poise and puck management in high school and the Minnesota Elite League, while also earning a brief look in the USHL with Madison. He’s not a power-play quarterback in the traditional sense, but he drives offense from the back end with his skating, deception, and ability to evade pressure. His tools project well to higher levels, but his lack of physicality and the need to simplify at times will need to be monitored. He was a Mr. Hockey Finalist in Minnesota and has committed to Western Michigan, where his puck-moving and transitional game should translate well.
Statistical Profile (2024–25)
Rogers High School: 30 GP | 11 G | 35 A | 46 PTS | 10 PIM
TCO (UMHSEHL): 21 GP | 7 G | 18 A | 25 PTS | 78 PIM
USHL (Madison): 4 GP | 1 G | 1 A | 2 PTS | 2 PIM | -1
Single-Game Averages (HS/UMHSEHL)
TOI: 25:12 | PPT: 2:21 | SHT: 2:08
Shots/GP: 7.0 | Shots on Goal: 3.8 | SC: 2.0 | SC%: 25%
Puck Battles: 8 | Win %: 75% | Blocked Shots: 1.24
Giveaways: 11 | Takeaways: 16 | Pass Completion: 88% | PSP: 0.5
Single-Game Averages (USHL – Madison)
TOI: 13:53 | PPT: 0:16 | SHT: 0:03
Shots on Goal: 2.2 | Pass Completion: 88% | C%: 55%
Puck Battles: 7 | Blocked Shots: 2.0
Reasons to Draft
Elite Vision and Escape Skill Under Pressure
Geerdes is composed and intelligent under duress. His ability to spin off pressure, draw forecheckers in, and deliver short slip passes is well above the average at his level. He consistently exits the zone with control—either skating pucks out himself or through precise distribution. His 88% passing efficiency reflects how little he forces pucks into bad areas.
Transition-Driving Skater with Modern Defensive Gaps
A clean, mobile skater, Geerdes defends with his feet and stick rather than his body. His ability to maintain tight gaps, stay square to attackers, and angle opponents into low-danger zones helps him disrupt play efficiently without unnecessary risk or contact. He uses footwork and stick positioning instead of chasing hits or overcommitting.
Offensive Activation and Shot Selection
Geerdes creates offense from the back end through intelligent reads rather than volume. He jumps into plays at the right time, keeps his head up on entries, and hits the net regularly (low shot miss and block rates). His 25% scoring chance conversion and ability to thread lateral passes into scoring areas (PSP: 0.5) are standout traits.
IQ and Adaptability Across Levels
His quick transition to the USHL was notable. Though used in a much smaller role (13:53 TOI avg), he still contributed offensively and played responsibly in his own zone. The sample size is small, but the ability to adapt to the pace and structure of a higher level without disrupting his game speaks to his maturity and processing.
Reasons Not to Draft
Undersized and Lacks Physical Edge
At 5’11”, 177 lbs, Geerdes is below average size for a defenseman at the NHL level, and he doesn’t compensate with physicality. While he contests space well, he doesn’t deliver many hits and can struggle against heavier forwards on net-front or extended wall battles. His game will require added strength and physical maturity to handle older, heavier pros.
Over-Handles and Over-Extends at Times
Geerdes’ confidence with the puck sometimes leads to high-risks high-reward scenarios. His unnecessary giveaways at the high school level reflect this. He’ll need to develop consistency his decision-making against pressure—particularly in choosing when to skate pucks himself vs. move them quickly and then jump into the play as another attacker.
Not a Power Play Alpha or Shot Threat Yet
While he logs heavy PP minutes, Geerdes isn’t a high-end puck distributor from the top of the umbrella. He’s effective at moving the puck east-west and finding shooting lanes, but he doesn’t yet project as a primary power-play#1 option on a pro-level power play. His offensive upside may cap as a secondary puck mover.
Projection & Recommendation
Projection: Puck-moving second-pair defenseman at the NCAA level with potential as a transitional No. 5–6 defenseman at the pro level.
Development Path: 2 years in the USHL, then 2+ years NCAA (Western Michigan), potential late AHL entry or senior-year free agent.
Draft Range: 7th Round | Development Watchlist
Verdict:
Geerdes is a smart, mobile defenseman who plays with poise and skates well enough to play professionally. His high-end puck retrieval and distribution game make him a clear draftable candidate. While his size and lack of physicality will require development time, the upside as a transitional defenseman who can drive play and skate out of trouble justifies a late round selection. Continued exposure and development in structured hockey at the USHL and NCAA levels will be key in rounding out his pro projection, but the amount of time he spends in the weight room will be just as impactful.