My Draft Day: Brock Nelson

A deafening silence was cast throughout the stands at Staples Center as the anticipation mounted to find out who would bookend the first round at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It was the New York Islanders who made noise on the draft floor, after trading up for the 30th and final pick of the first round, in exchange for dealing two second-round picks to Chicago.

Actor, director and avid Isles fan, Kevin Connolly, set the Hollywood tone as he approached the microphone and delivered the verdict, "The New York Islanders are proud to select, from Warroad High School, Brock Nelson."
The silence ceased as the crowd cheered. Nelson embraced his family with exuberance while simultaneously sighing in relief.
"When you hear your name and they say from Warroad, Minnesota, it's pretty crazy," Nelson said. "There's an adrenaline rush. Everything you've always worked for to get to the NHL, [this] is just the first step and the path to get there is right in your hand."

Nelson comes from a decorated hockey lineage. His family tree includes former members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, his grandfather Bill Christian, his great uncles Roger and Gordon Christian, who founded their own hockey stick company, and a former NHLer uncle Dave Christian. But even with a hockey bloodline, Nelson felt like a small town kid in pursuit of a grandiose dream.
The current Islanders forward, and leading goal-scorer, admits he was a late bloomer, and that getting drafted wasn't on the radar until his junior year of high school. Nelson knew his projected range was anywhere between the 25th pick and the 40th pick, but he had a hunch when the Islanders took action.
"We went with no real expectations," Nelson explained. "I'd had a pretty good interview with the [Islanders] and knew they were kind of interested. [Director of Amateur Scouting] Trent Klatt came up to Warroad and did a little scouting trip. He had me take a little test and check-in. So, I knew there was some interest. When they made the move, there was a little foreshadowing where I thought it could maybe happen. Trent was actually there. He didn't go up with them for the first pick, but then they brought him up there for the second pick."

Sure enough, Nelson was headed to Long Island.
The draft being held in Los Angeles was an engrossing experience for Nelson, whose previous travels primarily consisted of trips to various rinks throughout his home state.
"We went out [to Los Angeles] for the week leading up to it," Nelson said. "It was different for me, I'd never really left Minnesota at that time. I had been to maybe Florida to visit my grandparents, but going to big-city LA was pretty fun. I played some golf, had a couple of nice dinners, and had sushi for the first time. It was pretty cool just to see the beach and check it out. You always see LA in the movies. It was pretty special with my family all there to soak it in."
Nelson relished in all of the festivities the weekend had to offer including, the infamous draftee photoshoots. In retrospect, he's learned to make light of the iconic poses and his questionable appearance.
"That was a tough haircut day for me," Nelson said with a laugh. "I can't remember where I got my haircut, it might have been back home. But they make you do some pretty good pics. I'm sure a lot of guys look back [at them] and think, 'Geez, what was I doing?' I was definitely up there for sure. I didn't have much of a hairstyle -- I still don't have much of a hairstyle -- but it's come a long way for sure since then."

PHOTOS: TBT DRAFT PORTRAITS
As much as his draft day photos might serve as comedic relief, they're also a humble reminder of how far he's come as a player and in his personal life since he was a budding player in pursuit of fusing his passion into his profession. The 28-year-old recognizes the momentous day as a reflection of his own persistence, but also an embodiment of the joint efforts and unwavering support of his family and community.
"Coming from Warroad, a small town, there's a lot of people that have sacrificed [for you]," Nelson said. "You get free ice and everybody up there, they live and die by the game. Obviously, your family puts in a lot of time. You start to realize that as you get older and when you have kids, how hard everything is to make things for your kids and to provide them opportunities to succeed. Just to have your family there with you is pretty surreal together and share that moment after everything they've done to help you get there."
Ten years later, Nelson has flourished with the opportunity to play for the Islanders and make Long Island home. Nelson eclipsed the impressive 500-game milestone this past regular season and set a new career-best of 54 points (26G, 28A). After signing a six-year extension last summer, he's on Long Island for the long haul.

Like many of his teammates, Nelson has grown up with the organization. He's started a family of his own as he and his wife, Karley, have two children; a son Beckett and a daughter Addalyn (Addy). As his 10-year draft anniversary approaches, Nelson is grateful for the experience he's been afforded and many exciting, new chapters to come sporting the Blue and Orange and opening up the Isles' new home in Belmont Arena.
"It's crazy to look back and see where you started to now, and all of the memories that you've made," Nelson said. "It's going to be 10 years now from when I was drafted. It's just so crazy to think that I've been fortunate to be in one spot. Long Island is a great place to live and raise a family. Then, on top of that being able to play in the NHL for seven years now. You always dream of playing and you never know how long you'll be able to play, but I've been given a pretty good opportunity. I'm having fun with it and hoping for a few more years."