Brotherly love, literally, is alive and well this season in the National Hockey League.
For some parents of NHL players, at the start of the 2026–2027 season, making travel arrangements to see their sons skating on Opening Night was a bit less complicated than in the past. When the puck dropped recently in play of the 109th NHL season, 17 sets of brothers (five pairs were teammates) were among the 32 teams.
Florian and Arber Xhekaj took to the ice as Montreal Canadiens. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk both are wearing Florida Panthers jerseys this season. Then, there are three Hughes boys (all No. 1 draft picks) making an impact around the NHL. Jack and Luke Hughes are together with the New Jersey Devils, while brother Quinn is starring on defense for the Minnesota Wild.
Matching last names on the back of NHL jerseys this season is in vogue.
Luke and Brayden Schenn, Brendan and Riley Smith, and the Foligno boys—both with the Minnesota Wild—are among the group on-ice officials need to keep a closer eye on when penalties are assessed. Making the correct call on the correct skater becomes trickier when the names are the same on the back of jerseys.
Although not as prevalent as in today’s game, the NHL, more than the NFL, NBA, or MLB throughout history, has produced a number of highly successful brother combinations.
Maurice and Henri Richard headlined for the Montreal Canadiens for a combined 38 NHL seasons. From the 1940s through the mid-1970s, the Richard brothers took home collectively 19 Stanley Cup championship rings. The Sedin twins—Henrik and Daniel—were Vancouver Canucks teammates for 17 seasons (2000–2001 to 2017–2018).
One hockey legend who during a 50-year broadcasting career has witnessed many of the greatest family members taking to NHL ice is Jiggs McDonald. Now retired and living in Fort Myers, Florida, McDonald, who in 1990 entered the Hockey Hall of Fame as a broadcaster, remembers two sets of highly successful brothers during his 15 years serving as the New York Islanders TV play-by-play voice.
Two of the six Sutter brothers that played in the NHL, Duane and Brent, were important contributors to the Islanders four consecutive Stanley Cup titles claimed at the start of the 1980s. Jean and Denis Potvin also were leaders during the great run experienced by the Islanders.
“The Sutters were two totally different personalities. Duane was there when I arrived at the start of the 1980–1981 season, “McDonald told The Epoch Times during a phone conversation on Friday. “He was an easygoing, fun-loving comedian in the dressing room and on the ice.
“Brent was focused. He wouldn’t smile, and he was hell-bent on being the best hockey player that he could be. It seemed that he had no time to have fun during the regular season.”
(L-R) Luke Hughes, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes attend the Tequila Don Julio 1942 FIFA World Cup 2026 Suite at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19, 2026. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio)
But, like the Sutters, McDonald recalls the greatness of another brother combination dominating the NHL during his years calling New York hockey from Long Island. Denis and Jean Potvin, according to McDonald, were joined as teammates by design by the team’s front office.
“Jean came to the Islanders from the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the hook to make sure Denis signed with the NHL. Bill Torrey (Islanders general manager), in his infinite wisdom, felt it was a no-brainer, having Jean there would seal the deal with Denis. It worked out well for everyone. They won Stanley Cups together, and Denis became a Hall of Famer.”
In June, Matthew Tkachuk, winner of back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Panthers (2023–2025), welcomed younger brother Brady to the South Florida-based team. Formerly the captain of the Ottawa Senators, Brady has settled in quite well with his new surroundings and teammates.
Earlier this season, on October 13 in a Panthers 7–3 victory over the Blue Jackets, Matthew and Brady combined for 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists). Immediately following the trade announcement, the Tkachuk boys were excited for the next chapter of their careers.
“I had no idea (of the trade going down),” Matthew Tkachuk said. “I knew there was maybe a slight chance it could become reality but I was never getting my hopes up.”
While the Tkachuk family was gathered together for a Father’s Day brunch on June 21, as word spread of the trade becoming reality that same day, Matthew remembers it as one of the greatest days of his life. Brother Brady was quick to give thanks to the Senators organization.
“I’m thankful for the city of Ottawa, the Sens organization. I was there for eight amazing years that made me who I am.”
With brothers achieving success in the NHL at a high rate, opportunities lie ahead for the next possible wave of hockey family fun—fathers and sons as teammates.
