Islanders’ Brock Nelson has homecoming in Minnesota ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — It’s perfectly fitting that the Islanders’ final two games before the 4 Nations Face-Off came in Winnipeg and Minnesota.
That’s because both locations offered the perfect opportunity for Brock Nelson, the Islanders’ lone representative at the tournament, to be sent off by those close to him.
Nelson is a native of Warroad, Minn., just over a two-hour drive from Winnipeg, and had a cheering section at Friday night’s loss to the Jets that included his mom and grandfather.
On Saturday against the Wild, there were more friends and family in attendance.
“Anytime you get to go back in front of them, see them, say hi, kinda share that experience with them, it’s always fun,” Nelson said.
A trip to Minnesota is always a homecoming of sorts for the Islanders, with five different players on the team who hail from the state.
Mike Reilly, who has been sidelined after heart surgery, even joined the Islanders on this trip, since he could essentially hitch a ride home for the two-week break that follows Saturday’s game.
Nelson, of course, will be spending the next couple weeks with Team USA, attempting to win hockey’s first best-on-best competition since 2016.
“He gets to represent not only the Islanders at the 4 Nations but his fellow Americans here on the team,” Anders Lee said. “It’s great. Gonna be a fun tournament. I’m very excited for him, he’s gonna go play some great hockey. He’s got some boys behind him, cheering him on. We’re all pumped for him to play.”
Though Team USA coach Mike Sullivan’s lines could shake out any number of ways, it figures that Nelson will slot into a bottom-six role and perhaps be used on the penalty kill.
It would not be surprising in the least if he were on a line with at least one of Chris Kreider or Vincent Trocheck at some point during the tournament in what would be a New York-heavy trio.
Nelson’s versatility — he can play center or wing, and contribute on both special teams — was a key factor in his selection.
Though a couple other Islanders were believed to be in the mix for their respective teams, Mathew Barzal’s early-season injury cost him any chance of making Team Canada, as did Noah Dobson’s slow start to the season.
Nelson, who had 16 goals and 17 assists heading into Saturday, found himself an unlikely lone representative as a result.
Because he is in the last year of his contract — and thus the object of heavy trade speculation — Nelson should have a spotlight on him throughout the event as well.
Nelson has extensive family ties to USA Hockey — four different relatives have represented the country at the Olympic Games, including three who won gold, with his uncle Dave Christian being a part of the Miracle on Ice team — and has donned the stars and stripes five times at World Championships and once at World Juniors before.
“A few of the people that are in both spots [Winnipeg and Minnesota] will be there to support me as well,” Nelson said. “I think everybody’s excited for that. Trying to enjoy it.”
Team USA opens its tournament on Thursday against Finland, with a heavyweight match against Canada next Saturday.
“It’s a really cool honor, and Brock’s the perfect representative for that,” Lee said. “The way he’s played for the U.S. in world tournaments. Growing up, going to World Juniors and all that, it’s in his bloodline. Just a really cool story and doesn’t happen to a more deserving player and person. Just pumped for Brock and his family, excited to see him play. It’ll be cool.”
