Brock Nelson shines for US hockey at Olympics

Colorado Avalanche forward scores twice in Olympic debut as part of deep US roster

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Brock Nelson, a forward for the Colorado Avalanche, made an immediate impact in his Olympic debut for the US men's hockey team, scoring two goals in a 5-1 rout of Latvia. Nelson comes from a family with a strong Olympic hockey tradition, and his well-rounded game and scoring ability have made him a valuable addition to the deep US roster.

Why it matters

Nelson's performance highlights the depth and talent of the US men's hockey team at the Olympics, with standout NHL players like Nelson relegated to depth roles due to the strength of the roster. His ability to contribute offensively despite limited ice time demonstrates the team's scoring potential.

The details

Nelson, who is the fifth member of his family to play hockey for the US at the Olympics, wasted no time making an impact, scoring twice in under 14 minutes of ice time. He skated on the fourth line alongside Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller, showcasing his two-way game and scoring touch. Despite being a depth player, Nelson has 29 goals in 55 games for the Avalanche this season and is on pace to hit 30 goals for the fourth time in his NHL career.

  • Nelson made his Olympic debut on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The US has preliminary round games on Saturday, February 15 against Denmark and Sunday, February 16 against Germany before the knockout round.

The players

Brock Nelson

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who is making his Olympic debut for the US men's hockey team. He comes from a family with a strong Olympic hockey tradition, with several relatives having played for the US in previous Olympics.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the US men's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Jack Hughes

A forward for the US men's hockey team who played alongside Nelson at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and is now his linemate at the Olympics.

Connor Hellebuyck

The goaltender for the US men's hockey team, who praised Nelson's well-rounded game and scoring ability.

Jack Eichel

A center for the US men's hockey team who also praised Nelson's game and what he brings to the team.

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What they’re saying

“Brock's a guy that just brings a complete game. He's got a mature game. He plays on both sides of the puck. He can score goals. He's having a great year for Colorado. He's a cerebral player. He's conscientious defensively. You can use him on the penalty kill. If we needed him on a power play, we could use him on a power play.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, US Men's Hockey Team (drgnews.com)

“He's probably been doing it for 15 years. (This) was another big stage for him.”

— Jack Hughes, Forward, US Men's Hockey Team (drgnews.com)

“Everyone around the league knows he's an elite two-way center. You know when you're playing him, you're getting a hard night.”

— Jack Hughes, Forward, US Men's Hockey Team (drgnews.com)

“He's a dangerous guy. He's got a big, long stick. He's got poise with the puck. He plays his system very well. He plays two ways with the puck. I just think he's a full-on complete player, with the vision of scoring.”

— Connor Hellebuyck, Goaltender, US Men's Hockey Team (drgnews.com)

“He moves so well, and he does all the little things really well and he's got a great finishing touch. No surprise. All of us as players really appreciate his game.”

— Jack Eichel, Center, US Men's Hockey Team (drgnews.com)

What’s next

The US has preliminary round games on Saturday against Denmark and Sunday against Germany before the knockout round. Nelson and the US will look to continue their strong start to the tournament.

The takeaway

Brock Nelson's performance in the Olympic opener showcases the depth and talent of the US men's hockey team, with standout NHL players like Nelson playing key roles even in depth positions. His ability to contribute offensively despite limited ice time demonstrates the team's scoring potential as they look to make a deep run in the tournament.