Brock Nelson hosted former NY Islanders teammates for dinner before matchup

For the first time in his career, Brock Nelson will look across the ice and see the Islanders' crest staring back. For Nelson, Sunday night in Denver won’t just be another regular-season game - it will be a homecoming of sorts, even if it comes in a different jersey. The longtime New York Islanders center, now with the Colorado Avalanche, is preparing to face his former team for the first time since last March’s trade, a matchup that carries plenty of emotion for the 34-year-old center.

“It’s weird,” Nelson admitted after practice on Saturday, per the New York Post. “It took a bit [of time], for sure. I still keep tabs on all the guys. … It’s such an adjustment - you know everything inside and out, from the staff to the players, so to reintegrate somewhere new took a little time.”

Nelson’s trade to Colorado ended an 11-year run on Long Island, where he played 901 games, scored 295 goals, and etched his name among the franchise’s all-time greats. When contract extension talks with then-GM Lou Lamoriello fell apart, the Isles dealt him to Colorado in a package that included Cal Ritchie and a 2026 first-round pick.

Despite the move, there’s clearly no bad blood. Nelson hosted several of his former teammates, including Anders Lee, Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri, and Bo Horvat, for dinner on Saturday night.

“It’ll be different playing against them,” Nelson said. “These are the guys I’ve known for over a decade. It’ll be weird seeing them on the other side.” Nelson said he’s glad his first meeting with the Islanders will come in Denver, not at UBS Arena. “I prefer it this way,” he said. “Going back there will be a little bit different. But I’m excited to see the guys, hang out, and just enjoy it.”

The return back to Long Island, the tribute video and rousing ovation will have to wait, but the strange feelings will still be later tonight.