Before facing each other in a game this season, brothers William and Alexander Nylander struck a pose at center ice. If the photo allowed us to immortalize a beautiful family moment, the video rather captured William pushing Alexander.
Brady Tkachuk sat in the stands while his brother Matthew and his Florida Panthers teammates competed in the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. But when Brady’s Ottawa Senators faced Matthew’s Panthers earlier this season, things got out of hand.
Hockey history is full of brothers who stood out in the best league in the world. First there was Maurice and Henri Richard, who gave the Montreal Canadiens their first real dynasty, then brothers Mark and Marty who played with their legendary father, Gordie, with the Hartford Whalers, and more recently Henrik and Daniel Sedin with the Vancouver Canucks. This season, an impressive total of 20 siblings are playing in the NHL — which is unusual, to say the least.
“It’s obviously a family affair, and it takes a lot of support,” said Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who is two years younger than his brother James, now with the Boston Bruins. Hockey is obviously a sport that depends a lot on talent and things like that. But you shouldn’t overlook the fact that if you are a smart player, and you have an older brother who shows you how to play and what to anticipate. This is when it becomes a big advantage. »
Most of the brothers who made it onto the Bettman circuit attributed their success to the many mornings spent at the local arena.
“We were just playing, but we were challenging each other and pushing each other to the limits without even realizing we were forcing each other to get better,” said Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Marc Staal, who played a good portion of the game. of his career with his brothers Jordan and Eric, and more briefly with Jared, in the NHL. You want to be successful because you saw your brother achieve success, or you pushed him to excel because you achieved success. »
Marc and Eric Staal were part of the Panthers’ journey to the Stanley Cup Final. Marc pointed out that their children hung out at the arena and at school, and that this kind of routine made their family life completely normal.
Then there’s the opposite of that kind of unity, like when the Senators played the Panthers in late November and 167 penalty minutes were dished out. Matthew and Brady experienced it last week, after constantly shouting at each other like they were sworn enemies. However, they promised their mother that they would never fight again.
“This rule will never be broken,” Brady assured.
This is probably the best thing for future Thanksgiving dinners and family reunions.
A trio could also achieve an unprecedented feat this season, by winning the Hart Trophy awarded to the league’s Most Valuable Player, the Norris Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Defenseman, and the Calder Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Rookie. Quinn Hughes of the Canucks is the tentative favorite to win the Norris Trophy, while Jack and Luke of the New Jersey Devils could contend for the Hart and Calder Trophies, respectively.
The Canucks will also face the Devils Tuesday evening in Vancouver.
“It’ll be fun — we’ll play all three at the same time,” said Jack, who set up Luke’s game-winning goal in overtime last Thursday. We have to give credit to our parents, who educated us well and always supported us. It will be a celebration in their honor. »