Brock Nelson: Carrying a Legacy to the Olympic Ice
The atmosphere in the athletes’ village was electric for Brock Nelson, Team USA’s center, as he discovered a special package awaiting him. Arranged, he believes, by his wife, it contained a collection of heartfelt, handwritten cards of support and encouragement from family members. But two letters stood out – one from his 88-year-old grandfather, Bill Christian, and another from his 66-year-old uncle, Dave Christian.
These weren’t just any letters. Bill Christian was a forward on the United States team that secured gold at the 1960 Winter Olympics in California. Dave Christian, a forward himself, was a key member of the legendary “Miracle On Ice” team that triumphed at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Father and son, each part of the last two U.S. teams to achieve Olympic gold.
Now, Brock Nelson, a star center for the Colorado Avalanche, has the opportunity to stand alongside them, representing the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Team USA begins its tournament journey against Team Latvia at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday (3:10 p.m. ET; Peacock, USA, CBC Gem, SN, CBC).
“Special for sure,” Nelson shared. “I had a couple letters from family members: grandfather, uncle, my wife, all my family members sent messages. But to have that connection with them and what they’ve accomplished before me, it means a lot for sure. Any time you get to represent the country it’s an incredible honor, and to think about, obviously, at the Olympics, too, it’s pretty special to have that chance. It gives me a lot of chills and goose bumps and emotions.”
A Family History of Olympic Glory
The family’s medal-winning lineage extends even further back to 1956, when Nelson’s great uncle, Gordon Christian, earned a silver medal at the Olympics held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – a poignant connection given the co-hosting of the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina. Another great uncle, Roger Christian, also played on the 1960 gold medal-winning team.
Dave Christian expressed his awe, stating to NHL.com, “It’s incredible. It’s surreal. Looking at the different scenarios and thinking about it, you go back to an uncle who played in ’56 in Cortina and won a silver medal — in some ways it’s come full circle with the hockey in Milan and Cortina co-hosting. We’re just so excited for Brock… We’re so excited for him to have his moment and enjoy and have the experience in his own way.”
Nelson’s dedication earned him a spot on the U.S. team at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, prompting an emotional phone call to his grandfather. The same wave of emotion washed over him when he received the news of his Olympic team selection, leading to another heartfelt conversation with his biggest supporter.
“Pretty similar conversation,” Nelson recalled. “Special phone call. He’s been my biggest fan and supporter from when I was just a little boy. I remember skating with him on the river back home and at the rink in Warroad (Minnesota). I had half days in kindergarten, and he would take me up there and we would skate, just kind of learning and loving the game. Really special. Never any pressure from him to be here; always supported me, youth hockey on, and even sends messages now. He watches all the games. A great role model for me.”
Deserving of the Opportunity
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan emphasized that Nelson’s place on the Olympic team was earned through merit, not lineage. “Brock Nelson has made both of these teams because he’s a great player and he’s deserving of it, and he’s earned the opportunities he’s gotten through his own performance and his body of work,” Sullivan stated. “The story, I think, is a great story and I think that just adds to Brock’s legacy that he’s built to this point.”
Nelson’s impressive 29 goals this season, ranking third among U.S. roster players, and his versatility as a center or wing, capable of contributing on the power play and penalty kill, solidified his position.
While Bill Christian won’t be able to travel to the Olympics due to age-related challenges, he’ll be cheering from home in Warroad. Dave Christian is scheduled to arrive on Saturday and will remain through the gold medal game on February 22nd, offering support to Brock, his wife Kayley, and their four children.
In a letter discovered in the athletes’ village, Dave Christian offered simple yet powerful advice: “Hey, we’re with you. It’s your time. This is your moment. We’re cheering for you Brock and we’re cheering for your teammates. Just go experience it. Stay in whatever moment and situation you’re in. Just be in that moment.”
Nelson fondly remembers a childhood moment, wearing his uncle’s gold medal and learning about the family’s Olympic history with the release of the movie “Miracle.” He reflects, “I’m fortunate to grow up in the area that I did and never really saw them as anything but just family members. Once I saw the medals, then you see that’s pretty special, and even more so it being a father and son on the only two teams that ever won it for the U.S. Pretty incredible for sure and it brings up a lot of emotions for sure.”
The Christian family shares these emotions, understanding the challenges ahead for Nelson and Team USA. But the prospect of a grandson and nephew adding to the family’s legacy with a gold medal in Milan is a dream within reach.
As Dave Christian eloquently put it, “That would be a dream scenario, beyond what you could ever imagine. Holy cow. Phenomenal.”
