Brock Nelson

Quick Facts

• Position: Forward
• Nephew of Dave Christian, a forward who won the gold medal with the U.S. at the Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1980
• His grandfather, Billy Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, helped the U.S. win gold at the Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley 1960
• His great uncle, Gordon, earned a silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956

World Championships Experience

Brock Nelson grew up in Warroad, Minnesota, part of a family legacy that included uncles and grandfathers who excelled at the highest level of U.S. men's hockey and won gold medals at the Winter Olympics.

Nelson on his legacy: "I mean, it gives me the chills. For me growing up, I didn't even really know any better; they were just family, it was just grandpa to me. Now obviously growing up and learning more about the game, playing and being involved, learning the history of USA Hockey and seeing what they did, it's all the more special."

After their playing days, his grandfather, Bill, and great-uncle, Roger Christian, founded the Christian Brothers Hockey Company, based in their hometown of Warroad. Nelson used Christian Brothers wooden sticks as a little boy as he picked up hockey in outdoor rinks in Warroad with his family watching.

Nelson was a first-round pick by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Draft and played two seasons at the University of North Dakota before turning pro. After playing his first 11-and-a-half seasons in the NHL with the Islanders he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in March 2025.

Nelson has played for five world championship teams for Team USA, including winning bronze in 2015. Nelson was selected to the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off roster and, in recent NHL seasons, has collected his 300th career goal and 300th career assist. 

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2024 – 5th (Team - Men)
• Years of participation: Team - Men 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024
• Medals: 1 (1 bronze)
  • Bronze – 2015 (Team - Men)