Brock Nelson family tree: How USA Olympian is related to a member of 'Miracle on Ice' team

Brock Nelson has quietly emerged as one of the United States' best hockey exports, recording three 30-goal campaigns and 10 20-goal seasons across his NHL career.

A one-time All-Star, Nelson is fairly unheralded, especially when compared to other standout American forwards. But his versatility, face-off effectiveness and physicality on both ends of the ice have made him a useful talent at the NHL and international level.

The Avalanche center is no stranger to the bright lights. That dynamic is especially noticeable in international play. In his Olympic debut in 2026, Nelson potted two goals, leading the Americans to a 5-1 win over Latvia.

Given his lineage, such a display wasn't all that surprising. Nelson's family has often found life atop Olympic ice.

Here's what you need to know about Nelson's family history, one that is filled with Olympic medals.

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Brock Nelson 'Miracle on Ice' connection

Nelson's family history is glitters with gold. He's one of a handful of Olympians to emerge from his bloodline, one of whom played on perhaps the greatest team in U.S. men's hockey history.

Brock Nelson uncle: Dave Christian

Nelson's uncle is Dave Christian. That name should be a familiar one to U.S. hockey fans. Christian, a 15-year NHL veteran, starred on the "Miracle on Ice" team that claimed gold in the 1980 Olympics.

Christian played as a forward throughout his professional career. But he was a defenseman on the U.S. side, buzzing around the ice a little less than a year after finishing his college studies at the University of North Dakota.

“When the horn went off at the end we felt a sort of relief,” Christian told CNN in 2020. “To us it was just a hockey game. But it captured the imagination of a country."

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Christian tallied an assist in the U.S.'s win over the Soviet Union. He enjoyed more NHL success than the vast majority of his teammates, tallying 773 points (340 goals, 433 assists) in 1,009 games.

Brock Nelson Olympic legacy

Dave Christian is one of four former Olympians related to Nelson. Here's more on his other medal-winning relatives.

Brock Nelson grandpa: Bill Christian

Nelson's grandfather is Bill Christian. He, too, was a hockey star, earning a gold medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team in 1960. Inducted into the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame and IIHF Hall of Fame in 1998, Bill Christian's flame burned brightly throughout his career. He made waves at Warroad High School in Warroad, Minnesota, the same school his son and nephew would shine at.

Bill Christian enrolled at Minnesota following his glint high school career. He joined the U.S. roster a year later, having spent his freshman year on the pine -- freshmen famously weren't permitted from joining varsity sports rosters.

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Bill Christian was the U.S.'s best player in Squaw Valley, tallying a team-best seven goals and five assists to power the Americans to the gold. Following his glittering display, Bill briefly tried his luck at the professional game, turning out for the WHL's Seattle Totems.

"There have only been two gold medals for the U.S. and to have him be on that team that won in 1960 is pretty special," Nelson told the New York Islanders in 2017.

He opted to stay in his hometown, working as a contractor. In 1964, Bill -- along with his brother, Roger -- started a hockey stick manufacturing company, simply known as Christian Brothers Inc. The entity went on to earn millions in profits, according to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He never strayed too far from the game he loved, playing 23 years with his hometown Warroad Lakers.

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Brock Nelson great-uncle: Roger Christian

Nelson's great-uncle is Roger Christian. He, too, was an Olympian, playing on the U.S.'s 1960 and 1964 sides. A speedy left winger, Roger's game was shaped on Warroad's frozen ponds. He saw ice time during the U.S.'s trot to the gold medal, contributing in American upsets over Canada and Soviet Union.

All told, Roger enjoyed a successful career, albeit he spurned the ice as well -- at least in the professional sense. Roger went to work at Christian Brothers Hockey in 1964. The company made millions throughout his career.

Roger died on Nov. 9, 2011. He was 75 years old.

Brock Nelson great-uncle: Gordon Christian

Rounding out the list of Olympic stars related to Nelson is Gordon Christian, a former University of North Dakota hockey standout who picked up a silver medal in the 1956 Winter Olympics. Gordon, like his brothers, failed to take his game to the professional level. But he is remembered fondly in his hometown.

Gordon died on June 2, 2017. He was 89 years old.

Brock Nelson wife: Karley Sylvester

Nelson's romantic life also revolves around hockey -- at least in someways. His wife is Karley Sylvester, a former Minnesota Ms. Hockey who landed a spot on Wisconsin's women's hockey roster.

Sylvester was a one-time third-team All-WCHA player. She was named an assistant captain ahead of the 2014-15 season, tallying 13 goals and 38 points in 39 games.

Sylvester and Nelson wed in 2016. They have four children together.

How many children does Brock Nelson have?

Nelson and Sylvester have four kids -- sons Beckett and Cullen and daughters Addie and Nellie.

Congratulations to Brock Nelson and his wife Karley who welcomed their fourth baby during training camp. #Isles pic.twitter.com/GUltsIEYPe

Morning skate with dad! pic.twitter.com/9AIz6j1b1o

Brock Nelson mom: Jeri Christian Nelson

Athleticism didn't skip a generation in the Christian household. His mother, Jeri Christian Nelson, was a figure skating enthusiast, taking to the ice throughout her younger years. She introduced the spectacle to her son when he was but a toddler, signing him up for figure-skating classes at two years old.

“Mom, when I told you I wanted to skate, I wanted to play hockey. Not figure skate," Brock whined as he returned home, according to Minnesota Hockey.

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“He was so mad at me,” Jeri joked.

Jeri made amends shortly thereafter, signing Nelson up to join the Centennial Youth Hockey Association's initiation program. It set the stage for a relationship between athlete and sport that continues to bear fruit.

“It's fun for me, just because I've always known that that's what he's wanted to do,” Jeri said. “And he's always had the drive and desire to do it. Just watching him work hard for it — never underestimating himself and believing that he can and never, never thinking that he couldn't do it or couldn't be there. It's just really fun.”

Brock Nelson dad: Rock Nelson

Brock Nelson's father is Rock Nelson. He played basketball in high school, although his links with hockey are far more tenuous than his wife's family.

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Brock Nelson brother: Blayke Nelson

Brock Nelson's brother is Blayke Nelson. He also flocked to the frozen ponds as a youth, turning out for Warroad High School's hockey team. He's paying it forward more than a decade later, serving as an assistant coach on Warroad's girls hockey team.

Where is Brock Nelson from?

Nelson hails from Warroad, Minnesota. The town, located just 7.5 miles south of the Canadian border, carries a population of 1,781 people. Despite its smaller stature, Warroad has played a major role in the development of American hockey. Notable residents include former NHLers Henry Boucha, Alan Hangsleben and T.J. Oshie. Former U.S. men's national team coach Cal Marvin also hails from the Rouseau County enclave, as does his granddaughter, former U.S. women's ice hockey star -- and Olympic gold medalist -- Gigi Marvin.

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All told, Warroad has played host to eight Olympian hockey players. The harsh winter climates present in the lakeside town has proven a boon for budding hockey talent, with the Warroad River being "groomed for skating for miles by a network of volunteers", according to Newsday.