MILAN
As of Wednesday evening, Brock Nelson still had some significant homework to tackle.
His uncle, Dave Christian, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Miracle on Ice team, was heading to Milan to see his nephew compete. However, Nelson hadn’t watched the new Netflix documentary that highlights the team, in which Christians played a crucial role.
“It’s on my to-do list for today,” Nelson mentioned after Team USA’s practice. “I’ve heard really good things about it. People say it’s emotional and cool. I tried to catch it earlier, but the kids were home, and I got a bit sidetracked. I plan to watch it tonight before the game.”
Beyond movies, Nelson, who played for the Islanders until last season, is deeply aware of his family’s Olympic legacy. When he takes the ice Thursday against Latvia, he will be the fourth in his family to represent the U.S. hockey team at the Olympics. His grandfather, Bill Christian, and great-uncle, Roger Christian, won gold at Squaw Valley in 1960, while Dave Christian secured gold in Lake Placid, contributing to an iconic moment in American sports history.
At 34, competing in his first Olympics carries significant weight for Nelson. Joining the 4 Nations Faceoff team a year ago was, perhaps, his biggest achievement up to this point. He admitted the weight of the Olympics hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Even after spending a few days in Italy, he’s still processing it.
“Every day feels a little different,” he reflected. “I attended the women’s game and the USA vs. Canada game on Tuesday night. The atmosphere was impressive; seeing all the athletes, the setup, and the available gear in the village is pretty cool. I’m just trying to take everything in. There are so many aspects that make this experience special.”
2026 Winter Olympics
He still talks to his 88-year-old grandfather, Bill, almost daily. “It was quite emotional,” Nelson shared about their conversation after he was named to Team USA. “I could hear his happiness. Tears of joy. It meant a lot to both of us; having that conversation was special.”
“My only memories of him are from when I was little, like coming home and skating and calling him grandpa. He’s always taken care of us, even now. I feel lucky to have him.”
As for his performance, Nelson has been consistent; last month, he racked up 12 points in 14 games, totaling 18 points. Even though he started the year slowly with the Avalanche, he scored 29 goals during the NHL’s Olympic break and was on track for a career-high 40 goals.
In the Olympics, his role will resemble what he played in the previous year’s 4 Nations. He has skated on the fourth line alongside Vincent Trocheck, JT Miller, and Jack Hughes during various practices. With thirteen forwards allowed to dress, it’s likely that three of those four will be in the lineup Thursday.
“I feel good about my game,” Nelson stated. “We’re taking it one day at a time. Each game presents different challenges, but we are prepared with the same routine and structure. We’ll go in with an open mind and clear intentions for what we want to achieve.”
