Introduction
Brock Christian Nelson (born October 15, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey player for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nelson was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders. Prior to playing professional hockey, Nelson played at the University of North Dakota. His first experience in professional hockey was at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Islanders' affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Playing career
Nelson initially played for the University of North Dakota of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (NCAA Division I) and Warroad High School (United States High School-MN). He was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top Minnesota high school hockey player. He finished the 2009–10 season with 39 goals and 34 assists for 73 points in 25 games for Warroad. Nelson was selected 30th overall by the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2010 Entry Draft. Nelson began his professional career with the Islanders' minor league affiliate, the American Hockey League's (AHL) Bridgeport Sound Tigers after the 2011–12 season, during the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs.
Nelson made his NHL debut during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Islanders after the 2012–13 regular season. He registered his first NHL point the following season on October 8, 2013, an assist on a goal by Peter Regin in a 6–1 win against the Phoenix Coyotes. His first NHL goal was scored on October 22, 2013 against Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks.
International play
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.
Personal life
Nelson's uncle Dave Christian was on the 1980 United States Miracle on Ice gold medal team, and his grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were both on the 1960 United States gold medal team and founded Christian Brothers, a company that made hockey sticks from 1964 to 2003. Another great uncle, Gordon Christian played for the United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics, capturing a silver medal.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2008–09 | Warroad High School | MNHS | 31 | 45 | 31 | 76 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Warroad High School | MNHS | 25 | 39 | 34 | 73 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Team Great Plains | MHSEL | 24 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 42 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 42 | 28 | 19 | 47 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 66 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | New York Islanders | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | New York Islanders | NHL | 72 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | New York Islanders | NHL | 81 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 30 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
| NHL totals | 235 | 60 | 48 | 108 | 66 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | United States | WJC |  | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014 | United States | WC | 6th | 8 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 20 | |
| 2015 | United States | WC | | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2016 | United States | WC | 4th | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Senior totals | 24 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 30 | ||||
Awards and honors
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| All-WCHA Third Team | 2011–12 |
| WCHA All-Tournament Team | 2012 |