Stefen Rosner on Morning Cuppa Hockey Talking Islanders SEATTLE -- When the New York Islanders faced the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday, Bill Christian, a member of USA Hockey's gold medal-winning team in 1960, was in the house to support his grandson Brock Nelson. Christian briefly called Seattle home during his playing career, appearing in 11 contests across two seasons with the Seattle Totems of the WHL. He made his biggest mark with the Warroad Lakers, playing for his hometown team for 23 seasons before hanging up the skates in 1980. At 4:49 of the third period, Nelson scored on the breakaway to give New York a 2-1 lead before they fell 3-2 in regulation: "Yeah, it was special to have him here, for sure," Nelson said postgame. "He's a big part of why I play." Hockey runs deep in Nelson's family blood, with several generations winning gold with USA Hockey at the Winter Olympics. Bill's son and Nelson's uncle, Dave, was a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team that upset the Soviet Union in Lake Placid. Dave had a long NHL career as well, appearing in 1,009 games, tallying 340 goals and 433 assists for 773 points across five franchises. Bill's brother and Nelson's great uncle Roger Christian was a member of the team that took home gold in Squaw Valley with Bill. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNzU4MDk4NTkwMTE1ODE3/usatsi_24779430.jpg] All three of those Christian boys are members of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Nelson's other great uncle, Gordon Christian, was a silver medalist in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956. After their careers were over, the Christian family continued to be active in hockey in Warroad. Bill and Roger founded Christian Brothers Hockey Sticks, which was active for almost 40 years before closing its doors in 2003. Nowadays, Nelson follows in the footsteps of the family tradition. In 858 NHL games, he has 282 goals, 259 assists, and 541 points.
