Hockey has always been a family sport. Kids grow up skating on frozen ponds with their brothers , passing pucks in the backyard, and dreaming of making it to the NHL together. For some lucky families, that dream actually came true. Since the NHL began in 1917, dozens of brothers have played in the league, and a small number have even won the Stanley Cup together. These are the historic brothers who helped shape the greatest hockey league in the world.
The Sedin Twins: Two Bodies, One Hockey Brain
When you talk about historic brothers in the NHL, you have to start with Henrik and Daniel Sedin. These twins from Sweden played their entire careers with the Vancouver Canucks and retired together in 2018. They were basically impossible to stop because they seemed to know what the other was thinking before it even happened. Henrik won the scoring title in 2010 and the Hart Trophy as MVP. Daniel won the scoring title in 2011 and took home the Hart Trophy that year too. Back to back. Brothers. It had never been done before and probably won’t be done again. They combined for over 2,000 career points and made each other better every single night. Their connection on the ice wasn’t just about being twins — it was about spending a lifetime learning the game side by side.
The Staal Brothers: Four Sons, One Hockey Family
The Staal family from Thunder Bay, Ontario sent four brothers to the NHL — Eric, Marc, Jordan, and Jared. That is not a typo. Four brothers. All in the NHL. Eric became the face of the Carolina Hurricanes and won a Stanley Cup in 2006. Marc spent years as a rock-solid defenseman with the New York Rangers. Jordan won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017. Jared had a shorter NHL career but still made it to the league, which is an incredible achievement on its own. The Staal brothers represent everything that is special about hockey families — a shared love of the game that pushed all four of them to the highest level.
The Sutter Brothers: Six Hard-Nosed Hockey Players
If the Staal family impresses you, wait until you hear about the Sutters. Six brothers — Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Rich, and Ron — all played in the NHL. Six. From one family in Viking, Alberta. They were all tough, physical players who worked hard every shift and never backed down from anyone. Brian Sutter played 779 games and later became a head coach. Darryl went on to coach the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings, winning a Stanley Cup as head coach with the Kings in 2012. The Sutter brothers are historic brothers in the truest sense — they didn’t just play the game, they changed it, and their hockey legacy has continued into coaching and management long after their playing days ended.
The Richard Brothers: Montreal’s Most Famous Duo
Maurice “Rocket” Richard is one of the most famous players in hockey history. He played for the Montreal Canadiens and was the first player ever to score 50 goals in a single season. But his brother Henri Richard wasn’t far behind. Henri actually won more Stanley Cup rings than his famous brother — 11 total, which is more than any other player in NHL history. Both brothers played their whole careers in Montreal, both were beloved by the fans, and both are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Henri often lived in the shadow of his famous brother, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. The Richard brothers are among the most historic brothers the sport has ever seen, representing a golden era of Montreal Canadiens hockey that may never be matched.
The Stastny Brothers: A Family That Defected for Hockey
The Stastny brothers have one of the most dramatic stories in all of hockey. Peter and Anton Stastny defected from Czechoslovakia in 1980 to play in the NHL, risking everything to chase their hockey dream. Their older brother Marian joined them, and eventually their brother Yan played in the league too. Peter Stastny was one of the most productive players of the 1980s, scoring 450 goals and finishing with 1,239 points in his career. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Anton was also a standout scorer with the Quebec Nordiques. What makes these historic brothers so remarkable is not just their talent, but what they went through to get to the NHL. They left their home country behind to follow their passion, and they proved it was all worth it.
The Hull Brothers: Two Generations of Goal Scorers
Bobby Hull was one of the most dangerous goal scorers of his era, earning the nickname “The Golden Jet” for his blazing speed and powerful shot. His son Brett Hull became even more prolific, scoring 741 career goals and winning a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999. But the Hull brothers in this story are Bobby and Dennis Hull, who both played in the NHL during the same era. Dennis played 959 games and scored 303 goals in his career, which would be a career-defining achievement for most players. The fact that he played in the shadow of his all-time great brother Bobby says everything about how special Bobby was, not anything negative about Dennis. As historic brothers go, the Hulls brought generations of fans to their feet with a style of play that was exciting, fast, and built for scoring.
Other Historic Brothers Worth Knowing
The brothers listed above are the headliners. But the NHL’s history is full of other amazing sibling stories that deserve recognition.
Scott and Rob Niedermayer are one of hockey’s most celebrated sibling stories. Both were elite defensemen, and in 2007 they won the Stanley Cup together with the Anaheim Ducks. Getting to share a championship moment with your brother on the same team is something most players never get to experience.
Quinn, Jack, and Luke Hughes are carrying on the family tradition right now. All three brothers are active in the NHL at a high level, with Jack and Luke both playing for the New Jersey Devils at the same time. Watching two brothers thrive together in today’s game is a reminder that this kind of sibling magic never gets old.
Wayne and Brent Gretzky hold the record for most combined points by brothers in NHL history — and that’s almost entirely because Wayne is the greatest player who ever lived. Wayne finished with 2,857 career points, a record that nobody has come close to breaking.
Frank and Peter Mahovlich were key players on some of the greatest Montreal Canadiens teams ever assembled. Frank won multiple Stanley Cups and was an offensive powerhouse. Peter had a strong career of his own. Frank was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame 1981.
Dave and Ken Dryden made history in 1971 as the first brothers to face each other as goaltenders in an NHL game. Dave played for the Buffalo Sabres while Ken was in net for the Montreal Canadiens. Ken went on to have one of the greatest goaltending careers in league history. But that brother-vs-brother moment is one that hockey historians still talk about today.
Why These Brothers Matter
Since 1917, 47 pairs of brothers have suited up together in the NHL, and ten of those pairs won the Stanley Cup together. That number tells you everything about how powerful the bond between brothers can be in a team sport. These historic brothers didn’t just benefit from sharing the same genes — they pushed each other harder, understood each other better, and lifted each other up on the biggest stages in hockey. Just like USA vs Canada creates the greatest rivalry in international hockey. Brothers create the greatest stories inside the game itself. Whether it was the Sedins reading each other’s minds in Vancouver, the six Sutter boys from a small Alberta town all reaching the NHL, or the Stastny brothers giving up everything to chase their dream, hockey has always been at its best when it is a family affair. These are the stories that remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.