Nelson competed with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux for two seasons while majoring in pre-investments.[6] He recorded his first collegiate goal on a power play to lift the Fighting Sioux 3–2 over Minnesota Duluth.[7] Later in the season, he recorded his first two-goal game in a win over Robert Morris Colonials.[8] He recorded a goal off an assist from Joe Gleason to help lead the Fighting Sioux to the WCHA Final Five.[9] Nelson ended the season with the Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship as he led all Sioux freshmen in points and goals.[6] He was also named to the All-WCHA Team and WCHA All-Tournament Team.[10]
Brock Nelson with the Islanders in 2020
In his sophomore season, Nelson played on a line with Corban Knight and Danny Kristo.[11] By the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, Nelson was named to the All-WCHA Third Team after leading all WCHA players with 20 goals and becoming UND's youngest 20 goal scorer since Jonathan Toews.[12] He was also named a Inside College Hockey All-American,[13] to College Hockey News Second Team,[14] and Inside College Hockey's WCHA Breakthrough Player of the Year.[15] Nelson ended his collegiate career by signing an Entry Level Contract with the New York Islanders on April 3, 2012.[16]
On October 9, 2017, St. Louis Blues enforcer Robert Bortuzzo cross-checked Nelson multiple times while he was down after Nelson collided with a teammate. Bortuzzo was later fined $3,091.40.[20]
On May 23, 2019, after a career year in the 2018–19 season with 53 points under Barry Trotz, Nelson signed a six-year, $36 million contract to remain with the Islanders.[21]
On April 5, 2021, Nelson was named alternate captain of the Islanders in absence of the injured Anders Lee.[22]
On November 4, 2021, Nelson scored a career-high four goals in a 6-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens.[23]
On November 23, 2021, it was announced that Nelson would be out from two to four weeks with a lower-body injury.
In the 2024–25 season, the final season of his six-year contract in New York, Nelson continued to contribute in a top-six scoring role in posting 20 goals and 43 points through 61 regular-season games. Approaching the NHL trade deadline and with the Islanders on the outside of playoff contention, Nelson's 13-year tenure with the team ended as he was traded along with Islanders' prospect William Dufour, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, a conditional first and third-round picks on March 6, 2025.[24]
On June 4, 2025, Nelson signed a 3-year, $22.5 million contract extension to remain with the Avalanche.[25]
During a November 29, 2025, game against the Montreal Canadiens, he scored the 600th point of his career when he scored on Jakub Dobeš.[26] Nelson recorded his first hat-trick with the Avalanche during a 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 25, 2026.[27]
Nelson plays internationally for the United States. At the 2011 World Junior Championships, Nelson helped the Americans to a bronze medal, recording one assist in 5 games. Nelson was selected as an alternate captain for Team USA in the 2017 IIHF World Championship.[28]
On February 12, 2026, Nelson scored two goals (including the game winner) in a 5–1 win against Latvia. He scored another goal and assist in the game that was wiped out by two Latvia's coach's challenges.[30]
On February 22, 2026, Nelson helped Team USA defeat Canada to win the gold medal in men's hockey during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Team USA won 2-1 in overtime, claiming gold in men's hockey for the first time 46 years. Nelson didn't score in the gold medal game, but was a key piece on Team USA's penalty kill which went a perfect 18 for 18 during the tournament. Nelson is the third generation of his family to represent and win gold for Team USA in men's hockey at the Olympics.[31]
Personal life
Nelson's uncle Dave Christian was on the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics, as well as being an NHL veteran with over 1,000 games. His grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were both on the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics, America's first-ever ice hockey gold. They also founded Christian Brothers, a company that made ice hockey sticks in Warroad, Minnesota, from 1964 to 2003.[5][32] Another great uncle, Gordon Christian, was on the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics.[33] While his mother did not partake in competitive ice hockey, she was a figure skater.[34]
Amid backlash regarding the inclusion of FBI director Kash Patel and laughing to President Trump's comments of being impeached if he did not invite the women's team, Nelson did not attend the State of the Union and toured the White House with a majority of his team.[37][38][39]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United States 
