Growing up in the small, northern Minnesota town of Warroad, it's inevitable that ice hockey seeps into your blood. For U.S. team forward Brock Nelson, there's also a remarkable family lineage of three Olympic gold medalists.

Nelson, 23, who leads Team USA in scoring in the world championships in goals (six) and points (nine), contributing to a 6-1 start, is the nephew of 1980 Lake Placid Olympic gold medalist Dave Christian.

Nelson's grandfather, Bill, and a great uncle, Roger, were members of the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic gold medal-winning team.

"I think maybe the '60 team gets a little overlooked sometimes, but equally as impressive as the '80 team," Nelson, who also plays for the New York Islanders, said during an off-day interview.

"We'd see their gold medals, and we'd take pictures. I remember taking pictures of Uncle Dave's medal, and I put his jersey on too; it's something that you dream of as a kid."

Adding to the family legacy, Nelson also has a great uncle, Gordon, who was a member of the 1956 Olympic team in Cortina, Italy, that won silver.

Nelson, skating on a line with 18-year-old sensation Jack Eichel and two-time Stanley Cup champion Trevor Lewis, has been an offensive threat, boosting a youthful U.S. squad that averages 24.3 years of age.

"It's been real easy to play with him," Lewis said of Nelson, a 6-3 left wing. "He's a big, strong guy around the net, and he plays both ends of the ice very well."

The team's unexpected preliminary-round streak, which included an upset of its more experienced Russian rivals, enabled the Americans to claim top honors in the eight-team Group B.

U.S. captain Matt Hendricks, the eldest member of the group at 33, says he has been invigorated by the youthful exuberance of his teammates.

"It's been a lot of fun. They bring so much energy to the rink every day. They're tremendous talents at such a young age," Hendricks said, referring to a roster that includes four collegians and two minor leaguers. "It's a fun mix; we've got some good veterans and great young guys, and we're coming together at the right time."

Next up for Team USA is a quarterfinal match vs. Switzerland today at the CEZ Arena in Ostrava.

The ever-improving Swiss team, which won a silver medal in the 2013 worlds, typically plays a methodical, team-oriented game. The contest should prove to be a tight-checking affair, where winning puck battles is essential.

"It's going to be a tough game. Switzerland always plays a really good team game," said Eichel, who has contributed two goals and four assists.

"It's going to be a battle. They have a lot of speed and obviously a good goaltender," Eichel said, referring to Swiss netminder Reto Berra of the Colorado Avalanche.

In net for the USA has been Winnipeg Jets goaltending prospect Connor Hellebuyck, who has won five games and is second in the tournament in save percentage (.942) and third in goals-against average (1.38).

"It's a young group, but we realize what it takes to win big games," said Boston Bruin Torey Krug, who leads U.S. defensemen with five points.

The USA won bronze medals in 2013 in Stockholm and also in 2004, when the world championships were last staged in Prague.

But the last time the USA won gold was in the Squaw Valley Olympics in 1960, when the Games doubled as the world championship.

If Team USA can continue to mesh, limit turnovers leading to odd-man rushes and land three more victories over four days, Nelson could match one of the accomplishments of his grandfather and great uncle.

"If you're able to get an opportunity to play for a gold medal, you definitely want to seize that and make the most of it," Nelson said.