GRAND FORKS — Brock Nelson was traded from the New York Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche at the NHL's trading deadline this season.

He has decided to stay there.

Nelson signed a three-year, $22.5-million contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.

Nelson was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

The former Warroad, Minn., and UND star played 19 regular-season games with the Avalanche at the end of the season, scoring six goals and 13 points. He had four assists in seven playoff games. The Avalanche were eliminated by the Dallas Stars.

Nelson was expected to be one of the top free agents this offseason.

The center has played 920 NHL regular-season games, tallying 301 goals and 587 points.

Nelson played his first 13 NHL seasons with the Islanders, who selected him at No.

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