Brock Nelson, a forward for the Colorado Avalanche, has joined a distinguished lineage of Olympic champions. His uncle, Dave Christian, was a member of the famed 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team, and his grandfather, Bill Christian, and great-uncle, Roger Christian, both won gold at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The family’s Olympic legacy is particularly poignant as a new Netflix documentary commemorating the 1980 U.S. Hockey team’s improbable victory over the Soviet Union was released around the time of the games. The film features Christian’s pivotal role in the historic upset, a moment that resonated deeply with a nation during the height of the Cold War.
Foto: Petr David Josek, ČTK/AP
American Brock Nelson in the Olympic final.
Nelson’s achievement is particularly meaningful given his family’s history in the sport. “Absolutely incredible. A dream arrive true. Before the tournament, gold was Brock’s dream scenario, exceeding anything you can imagine,” said Dave Christian, who recorded eight assists during the 1980 Olympic Games. Nelson contributed two goals and one assist during the recent tournament, and played a key role on the penalty kill, where the American team did not concede a single goal throughout the competition.
“We did it,” Nelson said, describing his meeting with his uncle after the 2-1 overtime victory against Canada on February 22, 2026. “It’s crazy that it fell on the 46th anniversary of them beating the Russians.”
Nelson too connected with his 88-year-ancient grandfather, Bill, who was unable to travel due to health concerns. “I’m looking forward to giving him a hug. That will be emotional for me too.”
He plans to take his gold medal home to Warroad, Minnesota, to display it alongside his family’s other three Olympic medals. “We’ll take a nice picture and tell stories from different decades. I’m not naive, this was my last chance for Olympic gold. That’s why I appreciate it even more,” said Nelson, a teammate of Martin Nečas at the Colorado Avalanche.
However, the family’s Olympic story may not be complete. Nelson and his wife, Karley, have four children, and their oldest son, Beckett, age seven, is very enthusiastic about hockey.
