MILAN — Dave Christian, at 66 years old, entered the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Saturday night with a joyful expression.
This marked his first Olympic attendance since he and his fellow “Miracle on Ice” U.S. teammates lit the cauldron at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics’ opening ceremony.
But what made it even more special?
It was Christian’s inaugural experience witnessing an Olympic hockey game in person since February 24, 1980 — the night Christian, originally a forward converted to a defenseman by Herb Brooks less than two months before the Olympics, assisted on both the tying and winning goals in a third-period comeback against Finland, leading to a gold medal celebration on the ice at Lake Placid’s Olympic Field House.
Forty-six years later, Christian joined his sister, Jeri Christofferson — Brock Nelson’s mother — to watch his 34-year-old nephew, Brock, compete in his second game as a member of the 2026 United States men’s Olympic hockey team.
“I’m so happy he’s here,” Christian shared, shortly before Nelson, who had netted two goals for the United States in their tournament-opening win over Latvia, assisted on one of the Americans’ six goals in a victory over Denmark. “It’s truly something special. The fact that Brock is an Olympian means a tremendous amount. Once an Olympian, always an Olympian. I grew up with the dream of becoming an Olympian because of my uncles and my dad. That was always my aspiration. Having that opportunity come true in the way it did was pretty incredible. And now, to see Brock have the same opportunity, I can’t adequately describe what this means.”
Nelson is the latest in a lineage of Olympians from the Christian-Nelson family, originating from Warroad, Minnesota — affectionately known as Hockeytown USA.
Not only did Brock’s uncle, Dave, secure the second United States men’s hockey gold medal in 1980, but his grandfather, Bill Christian — Dave’s father — and great uncle, Roger Christian — Dave’s uncle — were part of the first U.S. men’s hockey team to win gold in 1960 at Squaw Valley. Furthermore, four years prior, another of Brock’s great uncles and Dave’s uncle, Gordon Christian, earned a silver medal in, coincidentally, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Seventy years on, Nelson finds himself at the Milan Cortina Olympics. In fact, Gordon’s children are slated to arrive at the Olympics on Monday to support their cousin, and plan to take a train to Cortina to experience the place where their father won an Olympic medal.
“I didn’t even piece it together until someone mentioned it to me this summer,” Nelson remarked. “It’s pretty cool that it’s a full-circle moment here now for our family and for the opportunity I have. It’s really wild when you think about it that we have five family members as Olympians with my grandpa, his two brothers, his son, and now me.”
Brock Nelson’s brother Blayke Nelson, mother Jeri Christofferson and uncle Dave Christian. (Michael Russo / For The Athletic)
After Saturday night’s victory, Nelson skated to the corner of the rink and looked up into Sections B12 and B13 — the U.S. family section. He quickly spotted his wife, Karley, their four children, his proud brother Blayke and mother Jeri, and the unmistakable face of his uncle Dave Christian and his aunt Lisa, Dave’s wife.
“I saw him,” Nelson said, his eyes welling up. “I saw him waving on my way out. I’m so proud that he came all the way here to support me and share this with me.”
Forty-five hundred miles away, Bill Christian was also watching. His brothers, Roger and Gordon, have passed away. But Bill, at 88, remains Brock Nelson’s biggest fan. Traveling to Italy was simply too challenging at his age, but Brock’s aunt Debbie arranged for Bill to watch the Olympics with her and her family at her home in Bemidji, Minnesota.
“I know he was one of the first calls Brock made after he found out he made the Olympic team before New Year’s,” Blayke Nelson, Brock’s 30-year-old brother, commented.
Dave Christian, who went on to play over 1,000 NHL games after winning gold in 1980, stated that the bond between his father and Brock has always been remarkably strong.
“Brock used to go skate with him every day at lunchtime,” Dave recalled.
Bill and his brother, Roger, founded the Christian Brothers Hockey Company, which produced hockey sticks starting in 1964, until they sold the company in 2002. In kindergarten, which had half days back then, Brock would accompany his grandfather to the iconic Gardens Arena in Warroad to skate. In middle school, a dirt road behind Brock’s school led him across during lunch hour to the Christian Brothers factory.
“My grandpa had his office there,” Brock explained. “I would steal quarters, hit the vending machine, and go curve sticks. I’d grab the wood blades, curve blades, and we’d play little games on the table. My mom worked there for a bit. The smell of that place is one of the smells that you’ll never forget. Some good memories, just running around. And crazy to think about a kid being able to just run around a hockey stick factory and just grab whatever you want. I’d make some crazy curves in the machine and press them. Warroad’s a hockey lifestyle, so pretty fortunate to have that upbringing.”
Bill Christian is currently writing a book titled “Hockey for a Lifetime.” Its publication was actually anticipated by now, but he has paused the process because he wishes to incorporate his memories of his grandson’s Olympic journey and await the outcome of these Olympics.
Blayke and his mom have been proofreading the book, and “there are so many things in there that I never heard,” Blayke stated. “I thought I heard it all, but reading his memories and talking to him about it, it’s remarkable, like him and Uncle David, the things that they did. And then he talks about watching David at the 1980 Olympics, and he gets more emotional talking about that than I ever knew. And now he’s so proud of Brock for adding to the legacy. It’s such a special thing for the family. Every step. Everything is such a big deal.”
Blayke still resides in Warroad. In fact, he is an assistant coach for the Warroad High girls’ hockey team. They recently won their 11th section title, advancing to the Class A state tournament in St. Paul. Blayke missed the section final to attend the first three Olympic games, including Sunday night’s game against Germany, but will return to the Twin Cities on Tuesday to coach the team at states. Blayke and Brock’s sister, Billye, will then swap places with Blayke and travel to Milan.
“This is unbelievable,” Blayke exclaimed. “The Olympics is something Brock and I talked about since we were little. We watched my grandpa, we watched my uncle, and talked about it all the time. It’s such an honor to be here.”
Dave watched Brock’s Olympic debut back home in Minnesota.
“Many tears during that first shift,” Dave admitted.
In that opener against Latvia, Brock assisted on what was widely believed to be Quinn Hughes’ first-period goal.
“I looked at Blayke, and Blayke was teary-eyed, and then of course I lost it,” Brock’s mom, Jeri, recounted. “And then they called it back, and I’m like, ‘Oh, darn.’ And then he scored the next goal, and they called that back, too. It was an up-and-down roller coaster, but when he scored two goals in the second and third periods, it was the thrill of a lifetime.
“It’s so hard to fully comprehend this. I was fortunate to be in Lake Placid in ’80 for the entire two weeks, so returning here again and now watching my son after having watched my brother, it makes it so much more emotional for us. And then, of course, getting one goal in his first Olympic game was sweet. But two?”
Jeri was visiting her son in Colorado when USA Hockey GM Bill Guerin called to deliver the exciting news. She was overjoyed when Brock told her he was an Olympian. It was December 31st, and later that night, Brock scored a goal and an assist in a 6-1 Avalanche win over St. Louis.
Ironically, the family had wondered if Brock re-signing in Colorado rather than with the Minnesota Wild, the NHL team Guerin manages, would harm his chances of becoming an Olympian. After all, it was no secret that Minnesota had planned to make Brock a substantial offer as a free agent if he became available on July 1st. But the reality is, Guerin and especially the USA coaching staff absolutely admire Nelson’s complete game. He’s a coach’s dream, plus he left them no choice with 29 goals and 49 points in 55 games for the formidable Avs, including 26 goals since November 13th — the third-most in the NHL during that period.
“For the last 10 years, it seems like he gets better every year,” Blayke said of his older brother, a longtime New York Islander traded to Colorado almost a year ago. “I’ve watched it my entire life, looking up to him, and it’s been that way since youth hockey. High school, college, AHL, NHL, every year he gets better.”
Brock Nelson’s brother, Blayke, surprised him with a Warroad Hockeytown USA “Brock Nelson” Olympic pin. (Courtesy of Blayke Nelson)
Blayke arrived in Milan carrying a Warroad Hockeytown USA “Brock Nelson” Olympic pin. He surprised his brother with one. The Warroad Youth Hockey Association also created a large Hockeytown USA flag and arranged for 63 children to write cards and notes. As Brock began reading the notes, his eyes grew moist. His uncle Dave also penned a private note that he discovered in the Olympic village upon his arrival, a message that “caused me to choke up.”
“Warroad is so special,” Brock declared, being the first hockey Olympian from the city since T.J. Oshie (2014) and Gigi Marvin (2010, 2014, and 2018).
Blayke noted that numerous events are currently underway in Warroad, all centered around Brock’s Olympic presence. Daily watch parties are organized, with most of the United States’ games airing at 2:10 p.m. CT. Blayke has also been sending a variety of pictures and videos back to a hockey community rich in history and immensely proud of its newest Olympic hockey hero.
“It’s brought a spark and energy to the town,” Blayke explained. “People who visit Warroad can’t believe this is a town that’s been around for 125 years. It feels brand new. It’s growing. It’s becoming modern. It’s exciting to be there and such a great place to raise a family.
“And we love our hockey.”
And they cherish Brock and would be thrilled to witness a gold medal draped across his neck, mirroring his grandfather, great uncle, and uncle after the February 22nd gold-medal game.
“We can’t think that far ahead,” his mom, Jeri, said with a smile. “We’ll see what happens, but it would be phenomenal, and I won’t be able to hold back the tears. But I’m proud of him regardless.”
As Uncle Dave proudly states, “Once an Olympian, always an Olympian,” gold medal or not.