Islanders Brock Nelson Talks 4 Nations Experience
Following Saturday's practice, No. 29 discussed what it meant to him to represent Team USA at the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.
New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson had a tremendous experience at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
Following Saturday’s practice, which Nelson did not take part in as he gave himself an additional rest day, he spoke to us about what playing for his country meant to him and more.
Q: What did it mean to take part in 4 Nations?
Brock Nelson: “Incredible experience, something I'll forever remember. My family had a great time. The atmosphere, the energy. I think they did an unbelievable job. I think there's high expectations going into the tournament and how it was going to play out. I think it surpassed that. And a lot of times, like just being there, looking around the room, seeing some of the guys you play against, and you watch other stars in the league, to be a part of it, be a part of the group is special. Ten days kind of flew by, but at the same time, it also was a long time, and I got to know guys pretty well. A lot of memories that you make that you'll remember, and something I'll never forget.”
Q: You’ve played a lot of games internationally, an all-star game in the past few years. How did this experience compare to those?
Nelson: “It was quite a bit different. I think it was some of the most intense, high, packed energy and clean hockey that I've ever been a part of, and it was just an unbelievable time. You can't really describe how awesome it was, how important those games were, too, how much everybody laid on the line, and how special it was as a representative country. I think everyone's extremely proud, all four countries. I think everyone representing each country did a great job, and it meant a lot. So, like I said, the tournament was awesome. It was something that reached beyond regular hockey fans, and I think some of that may set up for future events that people are going to look forward to and hopefully grow even a bit more and add more teams.”
Q: What did it mean to wear an “A” for a couple of games?
Nelson: “That was cool. It was special. Obviously, we had a couple of guys banged up and injured, and being one of the older guys there, it's special. I didn't really think too much of it at the time, but we had a lot of great leaders in there, and guys that you look up to, and guys that command the room and command respect, and they did a great job at that. So it was a special group. I think that it was cool to just be a part of that. And representing your country meant a lot.”
Q: You were utilized a lot in different ways, on the wing and playing short-handed. What was that role like for you?
Nelson: “It was great. Everybody moved around a little bit, just with injuries, and guys went down a couple of times, and just a different kind of setup with the guys we had. Playing the wing was a little bit different, but I thought the coaching staff did a great job. They laid out systems, and guys played with one another, talked through it, and just went out there and played hockey.”
Q: Did you come out clean?
Nelson: “I feel fine, other than I got a little cut on my face there. But I feel fine; I’ll play tomorrow.”
Q: How important was it just to have Gaudreau’s legacy with you guys in the room? Can you describe the emotion of having that in there?
Nelson: “It was cool to see that and to honor him, and to have his dad around as well, was special, and have him at the dinner with some of the legends. And Johnny touched a lot of guys in there, and was close friends with a lot of guys. A lot of guys like myself that was fortunate to play with him at international events, but he was a special guy and a great player, and somebody who would have been there representing the country and playing and doing what he loves. So to have him there in remembrance was the least we could do, and just to kind of honor him.”
Q: Everyone involved with that tournament, the most common thing I heard was, this is the fastest hockey I've ever been involved with. What do you think the transition is going to be like from that level, you know, back into the NHL regular season?
Nelson: “It's different. It's kind of crazy, just even sitting at home last night. It's crazy that all of a sudden, just like that, it's over, and you're back to the regular grind. And obviously, this is as equally important now, and you switch the mindset into the playoff race now and get back into it and how important these games are for us here. In terms of the game, I think you just try to take whatever you can from that. I talked a little bit with Patrick just about the energy of the guys and the preparation and how different guys attack it, and just trying to bring that back here and reintegrate and implement it here with the guys.”
Q: Just expanding on that. When guys go to all-star games, they always say, “I picked up this from this person picked up that.” You had almost two weeks with some of the best players. What do you feel like you picked up?
Nelson: “Just some guys, maybe tendencies, how they attack or look at the game, how they try to exploit different things, how they see it, how they prepare things that they take, things that they do for their body, a little bit of everything. Just trying to watch different guys, and even on ice, just trying to see how they're playing the game, if they're doing anything that can give you a little bit of an advantage in different situations. Communicating with them, too, and listening to them. So just try to take it all in, and especially being around those guys.”
Q: I heard a lot of guys re-watched Miracle on Team USA. Were you one of those guys?
Nelson: “I saw a couple of clips. And then my uncle wished me luck before. It was fun to have Eruzione there as well at that dinner, that was special. And McClanahan, I actually know him a little bit from being a Minnesotan. He lives there now, in close proximity, and it's fun to hear from those guys. Talked about it a few times, just about how important the 80’s team was and what they did, and how great it was for the game. They kind of compared it to the opportunity that we had, just to represent the country and be a part of a special opportunity that we had.”
Q: How do you process the emotion of that? You get the championship game to overtime. And it's over so suddenly.
Nelson: “It sucks losing. I wish I could go back and change it. Unbelievable opportunity. We felt like we could have had it in our favor, and we had chances in overtime. It hurts for sure, but at the same time, like I said, you're just proud to represent your country, and I think it was an important time for the game, and I think there are people that have reached out that said that we've added fans and impacted the game and moved it in a way that you're not really thinking about. You're disappointed in the result, but the bigger picture is that it was great for the game, and you're happy to be a part of it and fortunate to be in that spot. So learn from it for sure, and then you move on. And a lot of those guys are gonna have another opportunity and another stage like that, to kind of write it, and hopefully, they come out on the other side of it.”
Q: Was it comparable at all to 20 or 21 against the lightning?
Nelson: “A lot of guys are saying it's probably the biggest game that they've played it right, just given the US-Canada rivalry, the stage, the emotions. It obviously wasn't an Olympic stage-type thing, but it kind of felt like it had. I've never been a part of that, but I mean, the intensity of it felt like it was the most important game that guys have been a part of, and that's hearing from guys who've played in Stanley Cup final game sevens, game sevens in playoffs and different things like that. I think it was right there in terms of intensity, probably even more so.”
Q: Tuesday is Islanders vs. Rangers. How weird was it to play with four Rangers?
Nelson: “It's funny how you could be battling as enemies on the ice, and all of a sudden, you come together like that. I think that just goes along with the message of representing your country, and how you're able to kind of put other things behind you and just come together. And it's something bigger than that. So it'll be fun now, playing against some of these guys, and obviously those games are extremely intense and always will be. It'll be a big game for us.”
Q: About Trocheck, it seemed like you played with him the most. Can you take anything away from him, especially faceoff-wise?
Nelson: “Faceoff for sure. Obviously, it's a little bit different, just him being a righty. But I mean, he's one of the best in the league to do it. He's always a tough guy to go against. He just competes. I think he just goes out there and lays it all in the line, which is fun to see. And, yeah, you just try to watch him. We did a couple of face-offs in practice and just took from him and tried to learn a little bit. And hopefully, it gives me a little bit of an edge.”
Q: What was it like playing with the Tkachuk brothers with their energy?
Nelson: “Those are special people, special players. I think that's a popular question guys are always kind of asking now: how are those guys? They're characters. They have great energy. They kind of command the room, and they have all the attention and great messages. They're great with the guys. I think they're good at kind of getting everybody going, riling everybody up. And also they obviously back it up in terms of their play and their energy on the ice.”
Q: Were you in that group chat? Were you asked to fight?
Nelson: “I wasn't in the group chat. But, I mean, talk about an unbelievable atmosphere experience. I didn't see three fights coming in nine seconds, but it made for an unbelievable night. The energy was unlike anything I've ever seen before in the building, it was electric. And, as I said, those guys, they can impact the game in so many different ways, on the ice, via fights, hits, offense, and then the same thing off the ice. I think they're both incredible leaders.”
Q: What did you think of Sully?
Nelson: “Sully was great. I feel like all those guys, and then Torts was there as well, he was great. I think they were all great. Such a quick tournament. They kind of wanted to just lay out a little bit of structure, then get everybody just kind of going out there and playing hockey and not really thinking too much about it, and I thought they did a great job of that. Did clear messaging. It was a fun group, coaching staff, players, to be a part of and learn from those guys.”
Q: You mentioned the overtime Brock. You had a pretty good look on your off-wing there early in overtime. Take me through it.
Nelson: “It was a nice play. I just got a cross-ice pass and was able to have a little bit of space. That's another play you wish you'd go back and change but missed it short side. Disappointing.”
Q: Some guys benefited from the break, but for you playing, does it keep you fresh? Do You have an advantage?
Nelson: “I feel like you could look at different situations and say a break would be good or you could say keep playing, it's good. You don't have rust to kind of wear off. I feel good, and I hope all the guys who got breaks are fresh and ready because we have to kind of come out of the gates here and get running again right back out in the race.”
Q: Is it going to be strange to be back in Boston on Thursday now?
Nelson: “Actually we talked a little bit about that when we were leaving. Carly actually pointed out to me that you're gonna be right back here on Wednesday. There are a couple of guys that were saying they were going right back to Montreal, too, for a couple of days. I think Slavin was saying they were going right back. It goes back to the memories, too. You'll always associate Bell Center and TD Garden and those spots with the tournament and how special it was at that time. So, going back, it'll be quick, but it’ll bring back a couple of memories.”
Islanders Noah Dobson Practices On Saturday For First Time Since Injury
EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson was back at practice on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who sustained a lower-body injury in their 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 20, missed the final nine games before the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.
He was a full participant, skating alongside Adam Boqvist as the club's extra defense pairing:
Read more at The Hockey News.
BREAKING: MSG Networks Optimum Reach Deal; Islanders, Rangers, Devils & Knicks Fans Can Watch Again!
Since Jan. 1, New York Islanders fans, along with New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Knicks fans who had Optimum, had been unable to watch their favorite teams due to a dispute with MSG.
Well, a deal has been made 53 days later, so, when the Islanders battle the Dallas Stars on Sunday night, Optimum subscribers are out of the dark.
Read more at The Hockey News.
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Regardless of the way these six games before deadline go, I’m for a drastic retool. Lou has a chance to sell high on most if not all his vets. It’s time to take advantage of that, and not be concerned about the eighth spot in the Conference. We are too old as a team, too slow, too expensive, and most of all under skilled. It’s the end of the road for this team. Did they underachieve or overachieve? If Lou wants to leave a real legacy this is his chance. Time to trade proven playoff performers for top prospects and picks, while shedding maximum salary. The remainder of this year and next should be about building a young contender.