Nelson Debenedet

Nelson Flavio Debenedet (born December 31, 1947) is an Italian-born Canadian retired ice hockey forward from Cordenons, Italy, and grew up in Copper Cliff, Ontario, Canada. He was the first Italian-born player in the NHL.

Debenedet began his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, playing his last season at top level with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Career statistics Regular Season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1966–67 Michigan State University WCHA 27 0 7 7 14 — — — — — 1967–68 Michigan State University WCHA 29 4 3 7 25 — — — — — 1968–69 Michigan State University WCHA 28 10 7 17 40 — — — — — 1969–70 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 8 0 3 3 6 — — — — — 1970–71 University of Toronto CIAU — 3 9 12 0 — — — — — 1971–72 Tidewater Wings AHL 22 4 3 7 12 — — — — — 1971–72 Fort Worth Wings CHL 14 2 4 6 15 — — — — — 1971–72 Port Huron Wings IHL 30 7 5 12 19 — — — — — 1972–73 Virginia Red Wings AHL 76 29 27 56 64 13 2 5 7 6 1973–74 Virginia Red Wings AHL 39 8 15 23 40 — — — — — 1973–74 Detroit Red Wings NHL 15 4 1 5 2 — — — — — 1974–75 Hershey Bears AHL 25 6 6 12 13 12 2 4 6 2 1974–75 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 31 6 3 9 11 — — — — — 1975–76 Hershey Bears AHL 69 14 19 33 12 9 4 5 9 6 NHL totals 46 10 4 14 13 — — — — —