Why Brock Nelson is wearing a face mask for Avalanche after Olympics

Brock Nelson returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with a couple new accessories.

The Colorado Avalanche center brought home a gold medal. He also brought home a face mask.

Yep, he's back on the ice for the Avalanche rocking a bubble shield face mask, which he wore in the last couple United States games at the tournament.

Nelson was crucial for Team USA throughout, and he certainly earned his gold medal.

The mask? That's not exactly something you earn, but Nelson will likely wear it with pride since he wore it en route to gold.

MORE: Sidney Crosby breaks silence on injury, Olympics and rest of Penguins' season

Why is Brock Nelson wearing a face mask?

Nelson has the extra covering on his face as a layer of proection.

He took a big hit to his face in Team USA's final preliminary round game against Germany, which was played a week before the gold medal game.

The mask helps prevent any further damage to Nelson's face.

Nelson brought a cool trend to the Olympics, too. He is a third-generation Olympian. His grandfather won a hockey gold medal in 1960. His uncle won a gold medal in 1980.

And now Nelson, face mask and all, is golden, too.

More NHL news:

• Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs now forced to face tough reality
• Jack Hughes has forever changed his value
• Zach Werenski made 'the play before The Play'
• Connor Hellebuyck has changed his story forever
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future