When growing up as children, your siblings become the very first teammates that you learn to play with and against. No competition is more fierce than a younger sibling trying to beat an older sibling in a game, no matter what the sport. The same can be said for hockey, where brothers and sisters have competed with and against each other for decades at the professional level. It’s amazing to think about what a longshot it is to make it to the NHL, let alone two or sometimes more, players from the same family. Talent truly does run in bloodlines!
For as many sets of siblings that thrive in the NHL, there are even more that fizzle out. Often teams draft players with talented siblings to take a chance on lightning striking twice. Some of the challenges involved in being related to an NHL superstar are high expectations that can’t always be met. Think of players like Valeri Bure, Fedor Federov, Steve Kariya, and of course, Brent Gretzky. All fantastic hockey players in their own right, but obviously as far as NHL success goes, they fell short of their uber talented brothers.
But sibling rivalries in sports can only be seen as a positive in the end. For two or more siblings to make it to the professional level, it takes plenty of support from each other to get there. Siblings bonds are among the closest in human nature, and together the bond provides a drive and competition that is unparalleled. You’ll know some of these, but let’s take a look at some of the most famous sets of siblings in the world of hockey.
Scott and Rob Niedermayer: When you hear the name Niedermayer you may immediately think of older brother Scott, one of the most decorated Canadian players in the history of the game. Scott played 18 seasons in the NHL after being drafted 3rd overall in 1991, and won four Stanley Cups, two Olympic Gold Medals, a Norris trophy, a Conn Smythe trophy, and a World Junior Championship Gold Medal in 1991. Younger brother Rob was drafted two years later at 5th overall in 1993, and enjoyed 17 seasons in the NHL including a very special Stanley Cup victory alongside Scott in 2007. The Niedermayers will forever be the pride of Cassiar, BC, and are widely considered two of the most successful brothers ever to play the game.
Phil and Tony Esposito: You just know when the older brother is a player and the younger brother is a goalie, that this is exactly how things were back in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario with the two brothers growing up. Phil and Tony Esposito had some epic battles back in the day, and each brother is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame with a Stanley Cup ring each. Both brothers dabbled as general managers after their playing careers, but neither one really found as much success as they did on the ice.
Henri and Maurice Richard: The Richard brothers are hockey royalty, and even though both have now unfortunately passed on, their legend will never be forgotten in Montreal. Two of the most offensively gifted players of their era, Rocket Richard scored 544 goals in only 978 career games. His goal scoring touch was so pure that the NHL eventually named the Rocket Richard trophy after him which is awarded to the top goal scorer in each NHL season. Henri Richard holds the NHL record with 11 Stanley Cup rings, a record that will probably never be broken.
Monique and Jocelyn Lamoureux: We bet you didn’t think the Lamoureux sisters would be the first set of twins on this list! Monique and Jocelyn retired together in 2018, after defeating Canada for the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games. The twins capped off 14 illustrious years representing the stars and stripes in international competition, and are considered amongst the best U.S. Women’s players to ever play. Their careers also include two Olympic Silver Medals from 2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi.
Quinn and Jack Hughes: While these two young budding stars are still relatively new to the NHL, it is the impending arrival of their brother Luke Hughes that sets them apart from other brothers. Not since the Sutters or the Staals have there been so many highly touted brothers to play in the NHL together, and Luke, who is ranked as the top prospect in the upcoming draft, could be the second Hughes brother to go number one overall.
Eric, Jordan, and Marc Staal: Canadian hockey legends, the Staal brothers have been dominating the league for the past decade. Eric and Jordan were both chosen 2nd overall in their respective draft classes, while Marc was selected 12th overall. Jordan and Eric both have a Stanley Cup ring to their names, while all three have enjoyed very impressive NHL careers and will no doubt go down as one of the best sets of brothers to ever play the game!
Henrik and Daniel Sedin: Okay, you didn’t think we’d leave the Sedin twins off of a list of the best NHL siblings did you? You’ll be hard pressed to find a set of brothers who played like they had an extra sense between them more than the Sedin twins. Whether it was behind the back passes or tips through the legs, the Sedins always seemed to be able to find each other on the ice in impossible situations. Their highlight reels are amongst the best in NHL history, and their jerseys will hang from the rafters in Vancouver forever. The Sedins both put up over 1,000 career points, while both took home scoring titles and league MVP awards, as well as an Olympic Gold Medal back in 2006. Perhaps no sibling duo exhibits teamwork, dedication, and skill so effortlessly in one package than the Sedin twins did in Vancouver for 18 years. Truly, the Sedin twins are and always will be, one of a kind.
