The theme for this year’s Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada was “teammates” and nothing says “teammates” more than when brothers put on the same jersey.
With that in mind, here are some of the best brother combinations in NHL history who played together.
Maurice and Henri Richard
One of hockey’s first true superstars, Maurice “Rocket” Richard was the first player in NHL history to reach 500 career goals and was a role model on and off the ice for his brother, Henri, who was 15 years his junior. The two were teammates on the Montreal Canadiens together from 1955 to 1960. Remarkably, they won the Stanley Cup each year they played together.
Sutter brothers
We start to get dizzy when we think of all the Sutters that have suited up in the NHL over the years. Consider this: From 1976 to 2001 there was at least one Sutter brother active in the NHL. Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron all managed successful NHL careers, combining to play 4,994 games and recording 1,320 goals, 1,614 assists for 2,934 points and 7,224 penalty minutes. In the early ’80s, Duane and Brent both played for the New York Islanders where they won the Stanley Cup together in back-to-back seasons (1982 and 1983).
Daniel and Henrik Sedin
They have different numbers, different personalities (kinda), but they share a genetic code and it shows in how similar they play the game. When the identical twins are on the ice together they know where the other is at all times. Their no-look backhand passes are more precise than most players’ normal passes and they are dynamic with the man advantage. Chemistry goes a long way in the NHL and the Sedins have some of the best chemistry in hockey history.
The Big Read: Get to know the Sedins
Peter, Anton and Marian Stastny
When Peter and Anton joined the Quebec Nordiques in 1980 they made an immediate impact and when Marian joined the team the trio took the league by storm. In their four seasons together with the Nordiques the three of them combined for a whopping 1,029 points. Marian spent one season with the Toronto Maple Leafs before leaving the NHL, while Peter and Anton played nine seasons together in Quebec.
Bobby and Dennis Hull
Before Brett came along with his goal-scoring ability and GT Snow Racers, Bobby and Dennis made the Hull name famous in the hockey world. The two combined to play more than 2,000 NHL games and were teammates on the Chicago Black Hawks from 1964 to 1972.
Frank and Peter Mahovlich
After successful stints in Toronto and Detroit, Frank was traded to Montreal and joined baby bro Peter for the better part of four seasons. They hoisted the Stanley Cup together in 1971 and 1973.
Eric and Jordan Staal
They haven’t made the playoffs together with the Hurricanes yet, but they represent the core of that team. Oldest brothers everywhere gained a new level of respect for Eric earlier this season when he stuck up for Jordan after a big hit from Dion Phaneuf.
Other notable brother teammates: Pavel/Valeri on Panthers, Scott/Rob Niedermayer on Anaheim Ducks, Luke/Brayden Schenn on Flyers, Jamie/Jordie Benn on Dallas Stars, Mark/Marty Howe on Hartford Whalers, Andrei/ Sergei Kostitsyn on Canadiens and Predators