Corey Neilson

Corey Neilson (born August 22, 1976) is a Canadian born-British former professional ice hockey defenceman and most recently was the head coach of Scottish EIHL side the Glasgow Clan. Neilson was formerly the long-time head coach of the Nottingham Panthers of the British Elite Ice Hockey League from 2008 to 2018, later returning to Nottingham on an interim basis from 2022 to 2023.

Neilson was drafted 53rd overall in the 1994 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers and spent the next few years developing his game in the major junior Ontario Hockey League before turning professional in 1997. Neilson spent several seasons in the ECHL, getting called up to the American Hockey League before heading over to England to play for the Nottingham Panthers, where he played from 2006 when he was signed by then coach Mike Ellis as a player. He was later appointed player-coach in 2008 following a season as assistant player coach to Ellis.

Neilson continued to play and coach for the Panthers until he retired part way through the 2012–13 season, in which he later led the Nottingham Panthers to their first league title in 57 years and a grand slam season in 2012–13 (even though they only won 3 out of the 4 available trophies). Upon securing the league, the club retired Neilson's number 77 jersey alongside some of the Panthers legends of the past, Neilson became the 5th player to have his jersey retired by the club. In addition, under his leadership Panthers won six Challenge Cups and four Playoff championships, making him the most successful coach in Nottingham Panthers history.

Neilson also played for the Great Britain national ice hockey team after he obtained dual nationality. He is currently an assistant coach of the GB team - along with Adam Keefe - working under head coach Pete Russell.

In 2018, Neilson became the new head coach of German DEL2 side Lausitzer Füchse. He was relieved of his position in February 2021.

After a short spell coaching Norwegian side Manglerud Star Ishockey, Neilson was named the new head coach of Slovak Extraliga side HK Poprad in November 2021.

After leaving HK Poprad, Neilson was named as the new head coach of German DEL2 side EC Kassel Huskies on February 23, 2022 - replacing Tim Kehler.

In November 2022, Neilson returned to Nottingham as head coach on a deal until the end of the season. He departed the club in April 2023, after leading the team to the play-off semi-finals, to take a position elsewhere in Europe.

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Neilson returned to Germany to take charge of DEL2 side Dresdner Eislowen.

At the end of the 2023–24 season, Neilson returned to the UK as the new head coach of EIHL club the Glasgow Clan on April 15, 2024, replacing Jason Morgan.

On the 27th of January 2026, it was announced that Neilson and the Clan had mutually parted ways.

Awards and honours Award Year EIHL First All-Star team 2011–12

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1999–00 Louisiana IceGators ECHL 56 10 16 26 127 19 0 7 7 36 1999–00 Team Canada 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2000–01 Louisiana IceGators ECHL 64 15 25 40 128 14 2 10 12 24 2001–02 Louisiana IceGators ECHL 71 12 40 52 138 5 1 4 5 8 2002–03 Elmira Jackals UHL 72 10 44 54 136 8 1 4 5 26 2002–03 Syracuse Crunch AHL 4 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2003–04 Pensacola Ice Pilots ECHL 72 19 59 78 130 5 0 3 3 6 2004–05 Pensacola Ice Pilots ECHL 71 18 44 62 79 4 0 2 2 2 2005–06 Pensacola Ice Pilots ECHL 32 6 19 25 77 — — — — — 2005–06 Florida Everblades ECHL 40 7 16 23 54 5 2 5 7 18 2006–07 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 54 11 31 42 111 4 1 1 2 12 2007–08 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 54 13 36 49 144 2 0 1 1 0 2008–09 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 54 15 47 62 123 4 1 4 5 10 2009–10 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 54 13 44 57 106 3 0 2 2 6 2010–11 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 54 9 47 56 90 4 1 2 3 8 2011–12 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 53 8 42 50 94 4 0 2 2 4 2012–13 Nottingham Panthers EIHL 7 0 5 5 12 — — — — — EIHL totals 330 69 252 321 680 21 3 12 15 40 ECHL totals 406 87 219 306 773 52 5 31 36 94