USA Hockey Star Brock Nelson Chases Family’s Third Olympic Gold in Milan Showdown

Brock Nelson is turning the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina into his personal highlight reel. The 34-year-old New York Islanders center scored twice in Team USA’s 5-1 tournament-opening win over Latvia, flashing the same quick release that has earned him five consecutive 30-goal NHL seasons. Two nights later he buried the overtime winner against Germany, pushing the Americans to a perfect 2-0 record atop Group B and igniting buzz that this roster could deliver the program’s first men’s hockey gold since 1980. For Nelson, the moment is bigger than a medal chase. He is the fifth member of his family to skate for the United States at the Games, following his grandfather Bill Christian and uncle Dave Christian—heroes of the 1960 and 1980 Miracle on Ice teams, respectively. “It’s unbelievable to wear the same colors they did and try to add another chapter to our family story,” Nelson said after practice at Fiera Milano, calling the week “an experience you dream about your whole life”. Coach John Hynes has leaned on Nelson’s two-way game to anchor a top line with Clayton Keller and Matthew Tkachuk. The trio has combined for seven goals and owns a staggering 68 percent shot-attempt share at five-on-five, according to tournament tracking data. Beyond the scoresheet, Nelson’s veteran poise in the face-off circle (62 percent) has been critical to a special-teams unit clicking at 33 percent on the power play and a flawless 12-for-12 on the penalty kill. Scouts point to Nelson’s net-front timing and deceptive curl-and-drag release as matchup nightmares on the larger Olympic sheet. “He finds soft ice better than almost anyone in the tournament,” one Western Conference pro scout said. “Give him an inch in the slot and it’s behind your goalie.” The Islanders, currently clinging to a wildcard spot back home, will welcome the confidence boost when their alternate captain returns. But first comes a high-voltage quarterfinal against archrival Canada, where Nelson is expected to shadow superstar Connor McDavid. If the two-time NHL All-Star can tilt that duel in the Americans’ favor, he will march one step closer to matching the gold-medal legacy that runs through his bloodline—and cement Brock Nelson as the breakout star of Milan-Cortina 2026.