FEATURE: Brothers in the NHL

We often see that hockey talent has run in the family, from the Sutters, to the Staals, to the Stastnys. Throughout the history of the NHL, there have been many cases where brothers have played against each other, scored on each other, deked out each other, or in some cases, fought each other (Keith and Wayne Primeau). Every once in a while, something special happens, and siblings get the opportunity to play on the same team together. This article is devoted to sets of brothers that have played on the same team, a few sets of brothers from Saskatchewan, and one very unique set of brothers from the Calgary Flames.

Henrik and Daniel Sedin - VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Drafted 2nd and 3rd overall by Vancouver in the 1999 NHL Entry draft, these swedish twins have been two of a kind (to say the least) With 585 games under his belt Daniel leads to duo with 403 points in his career. With 4 more games played, Henrik is close behind with 401 points. With both having accounted for 23 points this year, is it crazy to think that both will finish their career with the same # of points? The Sedins have been a great move for the Canucks organization, and we won't see the club split them up any time soon.

Scott and Rob Neidermeyer - ANAHEIM DUCKS

Not only did this brother duo have the opportunity to play against each other in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final between Anaheim and New Jersey (Rob - Anaheim, Scott - NJ), shortly after, Scott signed a deal with the Anaheim club to have the opportunity to play with his brother Rob. In 2007, the Ducks, led by Niedermeyer hoisted the Stanley Cup, and the Neidermeyers bros did so on the same club, something that doesnt happen too often.


And now, the SK born bros...

Wade and Sheldon Brookbank - CAROLINA HURRICANES AND NJ DEVILS

The Brookbank bros, coming in at 31 and 28 years of age, respectively, hail from Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Both played their junior hockey in Saskatchewan (Wade in Melville, Sheldon in Humboldt). Both brothers are not known for their scoring prowess, filtering back and fourth between the NHL and the minors, combining for only 17 career points. They may not be flashy, but the Brookbank brothers are the gritty, Saskatchewan kids that the PrairiePuck supports.


Gordie and Vic Howe - DETROIT RED WINGS AND NEW YORK RANGERS

You may not realize, but Gordie Howe did have a brother in the NHL, and his name was Vic. Together, the Howe bros, of Floral, SK. have been one of the most dynamic brother duos in NHL history. They have combined for 804 goals, 1054 assists (1858 points) in their careers. Mind you, Vic only came up with 8 of the 1858 points.




Robyn and Richie Regehr - CALGARY FLAMES

The Regehr boys are something special in the NHL. Born to mennonite missionaries, older brother Robyn was born in Recife, Brazil, and Richie was born in Bandung, Indonesia. They were raised, however, in Rosthern, Saskatchewan.

Robyn has become a staple in the Flames' defensive core in the last 8 seasons, and in 2005/2006, the younger brother, the undrafted Richie was granted the opportunity to play along side his older brother for the Flames franchise for a total of 20 games between 2 seasons. Richie now plays overseas in the elite league for the Frankfurt Lions.

An interesting side note: Before Robyn Regehr ever played an NHL game, he was traded from his team that drafted him (Colorado, 19th overall in 1998) to the Calgary Flames along with PrairiePuck favorite Wade Belak for Calgary superstar, Oxbow SK native Theoren Fleury. There's a lot of Saskatchewan in that trade.



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