A steady presence in meaningful games
Nilsson has a fuller record of regular-season and tournament play than most players on this board, which makes a closer individual assessment possible.
Nilsson’s results hold up across different settings. Over 22 regular-season appearances, he recorded a .921 save percentage and five shutouts. He followed that with wins in four of six tournament championship starts and three winning starts at USA Hockey Nationals. Those repeated starts in consequential games support his standing as the top goalie in this ranking.
Goaltending evaluations describe a composed, technically organized player. He tracks pucks through traffic, moves laterally without wasting motion and gets back into position for second chances. His positioning and save choices give him a reliable base when games tighten. The tournament results show that those qualities translated to high-pressure starts.
The case in the crease
His four tournament titles came at the Music City Kickoff, Nashvegas Fall Showdown, Hotlanta Hockey Showdown and Music City Classic. He posted a 1–0 shutout in the Hotlanta final and stopped every shootout attempt in the Music City Classic final. He also won an overtime semifinal against Naperville at the Florida Winter Cup.
At Nationals, he won each of his three starts and made one relief appearance. The published tournament log records a 2.37 goals against average, .889 save percentage and 3–1 record across four appearances. His 4–0 shutout of Montana in the quarterfinal was his clearest elimination-game result.
Outlook
Nilsson ranks #3 overall and #1 among goalies. His regular-season consistency, championship performances and technical evaluations form a convincing goaltending profile. His 2010 birth year adds weight to that body of work at 16U, and his controlled approach gives him a strong foundation as the pace increases.