trim_14028474-D033-4FF6-B654-3A09671C9AFC EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] forward Brock Nelson will hit the ice with Team USA at the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament coming in February. “Yeah, it means a lot,” Nelson said. “I didn't really know how things would shake out, but, I mean, it's super exciting. It means a lot. Anytime you can represent your country in any tournament, it means a lot. So in something like this, that's a little bit different…first time in this form of this tournament here, it'll be exciting. "I think the setup looks pretty awesome, with the the cities that it'll be in. So the roster looks awesome, and I’m just soaking it in right now, and I am happy to be a part of it.” While Nelson is incredibly honored, getting selected means a lot for his family, specifically his grandfather and his son. Nelson comes from a long line of hockey players, with his grandfather Bill Christian, a member of USA Hockey's gold medal-winning team in 1960. The Warroad, Minnesota native has yet to speak to Grandpa Bill about the honor but is excited for that conversation. "To share this honor with the family is awesome. It's great," Nelson told THN. "I'm sure he'll be emotional. He tracks and follows each and every game here, so I know he's excited." When we were in Seattle last month, Bill was at the game, getting an opportunity to see his grandson score a big goal: Outside of his grandfather, Nelson is excited to share this moment with his son Beckett. Beckett and Nelson shared a special moment at the 2023 All-Star Game, Nelson's first. The two hit the ice together during the festivities. "Beckett still talks about the All-Star Game and how cool the experience was," Nelson said. "My son was at a good age for that, where he was pretty interested in a lot of the players, and he still talks about skating. He got to skate that one time for the morning skate there." Nelson hasn't told his son just yet. "This will be something we have to tell him. He missed it last night, but he'll be pretty jacked up," Nelson said. "He knows a couple of names on the roster, some of his favorite players." Nelson heard the rumblings about potentially making it but was honored when USA general manager Bill Guerin's name popped up on his phone. "There's so much hype around the event, the new format, and new tournament. I knew a little bit via my agent, and I was just trying to be better myself and be as good a player here as I can," Nelson said. "And, I knew there was potential, but didn't know for sure one way or the other if it was gonna work out or not. "It's an honor to be selected. And if not, it's not the end of the world, but very excited and happy to be a part of it. It's a great group, and I'm looking forward to it." Will it be weird to team up with some rivals, like New York Rangers forwards Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck? "I think anytime you come together to represent your country, it's special," Nelson said. "I think you bond over that, and you come together. But yeah, at the same time, you think about the rivalries. There's quite a few other guys I've battled over the years. "But I think that's just part of the competition and the intensity of the league. And I think each and every night is difficult, but I think that brings up the best in one another."
