Brock Nelson comes from family of USA Hockey royalty

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Growing up in the small, northern Minnesota town of Warroad, it's inevitable that ice hockey seeps into your blood. For U.S. national team forward Brock Nelson, there's also a remarkable family lineage of three Olympic gold medalists.

Nelson, 23, who leads Team USA in scoring at the world championships in both goals (six) and points (nine) contributing to an auspicious 6-1 start, is the nephew of 1980 Lake Placid Olympic gold medalist Dave Christian.

Nelson's grandfather, Bill Christian, and a great uncle, Roger Christian, were members of the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic gold-medal winning team.

"I think maybe the '60 team gets a little overlooked sometimes, but equally as impressive as the '80 team," Nelson said during an off-day interview.

"We'd see their gold medals and we'd take pictures. I remember taking pictures of Uncle Dave's medal and I put his jersey on too — it's something that you dream of as a kid."

Adding to the family legacy, Nelson has another great uncle, Gordon Christian, who was a member of the 1956 Olympic team that won silver in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Nelson, skating on a line with 18-year-old sensation Jack Eichel and two-time Stanley Cup champion Trevor Lewis, has been an offensive threat, boosting a youthful U.S. squad that averages 24.3 years of age.

"It's been real easy to play with him," Lewis said of Nelson, a 6-3 left wing who plays for the New York Islanders. "He's a big, strong guy around the net and he plays both ends of the ice very well."

The team's unexpected preliminary-round streak, which included an upset against its more experienced Russian rivals, enabled the Americans to claim top honors in the eight-team Group B.

U.S. captain Matt Hendricks, the eldest member of the group at 33, says he has been invigorated by the youthful exuberance of his teammates.

"It's been a lot of fun. They bring so much energy to the rink every day. They're tremendous talents at such a young age," Hendricks said, referring to a roster that includes four collegians and two minor leaguers. "It's a fun mix. We've got some good veterans and great young guys and we're coming together at the right time."

Next up for Team USA is a quarterfinal match vs. Switzerland on Thursday at CEZ Arena in Ostrava.

The ever-improving Swiss team, which won a silver medal at the 2013 worlds, typically plays a methodic, team-oriented game. It should prove to be a tight-checking affair in which winning puck battles is essential.

"It's going to be a tough game. Switzerland always plays a really good team game," said Eichel, who has contributed two goals and four assists.

"It's going to be a battle. They have a lot of speed and obviously a good goaltender," Eichel said, referring to Reto Berra, who also plays for the Colorado Avalanche.

In net for the USA has been Winnipeg Jets goaltending prospect Connor Hellebuyck, who has won five games and is second in the tournament in save percentage (.942) and third in goals-against average (1.38).

The U.S. team is coached by Todd Richards, the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and an assistant at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

"There's lots of things that have impressed me about the group," Richards said. "It's the big moments in games."

Referring to Tuesday's overtime victory against Slovakia, with Eichel's goal with 28 seconds left the difference, Richards said, "We're up 3-nothing, then down 4-3 with all the energy and fans in that building – it's not an easy moment and the guys responded.

"In the opening game vs. Finland, we had been together five or six days and the guys responded," Richards said. "The Russians with all their talent, that was another big moment and we responded."

"It's a young group, but we realize what it takes to win big games," said the Boston Bruins' Torey Krug, who leads U.S. defensemen with five points.

The USA won bronze medals in 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, and in 2004, when the world championships were last staged in Prague.

However, the last time a U.S. team won gold was at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics, when the Games also doubled as the world championship.

If Team USA can continue to mesh, limit turnovers leading to odd-man rushes and land three more victories over four days in the Czech Republic, Nelson could match one of the accomplishments of his grandfather Bill and great uncle Roger.

"If you're able to get an opportunity to play for a gold medal, you definitely want to seize that and make the most of it," Nelson said.

"Knowing that I've had a couple of family members who have had an opportunity and done that is encouraging and drives you to do that.

"I'd love to be able to have that opportunity."