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making it to the NHL, he needed more time to develop. So he followed yet another family pursuit: he played college hockey at the University of North Dakota, where his uncle Dave played from 1977-79. Donning the kelly green and white from 2010-12, Nelson played in all 42 games each season, amassing 68 points — including a team-leading 47 points in the 2011-12 season. His offensive production in that second season with UND was buoyed by a team-leading 28 goals. lonG iSland callinG Following his sophomore season, he signed a contract with the New York Islanders, who selected him in the first round (30th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After some time in the American Hockey League with the Islanders affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Nelson made his NHL debut in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Pittsburgh on May 11, 2013. Two seasons later, the 23-year-old has been an integral component of the Islanders lineup, posting a breakout season so far in 2014-15. Skating alongside some of the NHL's top guns — John Tavares and Saint Paul's Kyle Okposo — Nelson admitted he sometimes gets caught up in the moment and watches them a little too much. Still, he led the team in goals through the Christmas break. "I definitely wanted to come in and contribute and I knew last year was a good step in the right direction in terms of learning the game and growing," Brock said. "You can never stop learning or continuing to develop your skills, whether it's physically or mentally. It's a challenging game and a long season. I'm happy with where I'm at now." Certainly, a stronger year both individually and as a team make watching the Islanders a little more fun for the folks back in Warroad. "Oh yeah, absolutely," Jeri said. "It's fun to watch him all the time no matter what. But it's even more fun, of course, when you're having a winning season and everything falls into place. It just makes it that much better." The influx of Minnesotans has helped make the team better, too. Nelson is also just one of four hailing from the State of Hockey on the Isles roster. Joining him are Okposo, Anders Lee, of Edina, and Nick Leddy, from Eden Prairie. Together they have helped the resurgance of the legendary Islanders team. But when it comes right down to it — no matter where he's playing or may end up playing in the future — Jeri is simply happy that all the hard work is paying off, that he's thriving at the the game he's loved since he could speak. "It's fun for me, just because I've always known that that's what he's wanted to do," Jeri said. "And he's always had the drive and desire to do it. Just watching him work hard for it — never underestimating himself and believing that he can and never, never thinking that he couldn't do it or couldn't be there. It's just really fun." 12 MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // FEBRUARY.2015 Brock Talk Favorite TV Show: Dexter First Job: Grounds crew at a golf course Hobbies: Xbox, attempt to read, golf, tennis Favorite Book: Big fan of author John Grisham Favorite Away Arena: Minnesota or Los Angeles Game Day Meal: Penne pasta with vodka sauce, grilled chicken and steamed broccoli Guilty Pleasure Dessert or Snack: Oreos or pineapple upside-down cake PHOTOS: GETTY, JAMIE SNOWDEN, UND ATHLETICS / ERIC CLASSEN