Latvian goalie Kristers Gudlevskis and brothers Rihards and Roberts Bukarts are all smile after beating Austria (with the Raffl brothers) at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Hockey is very much an inherited love, and over the decades hundreds of fathers have seen their sons go on to play at the World Championships and, in turn, hundreds of brothers have played alongside each other as well, in more recent history also followed by their sisters.
It’s rarer, though, for brothers to play at the same tournament together, and at the other end of the spectrum is the Reichel brothers, Robert and Martin. They played at the same Worlds, that’s for sure – 2003. But, they played for different countries, the only time this has ever happened. Robert played for the Czech Republic while Martin played for Germany.
But here is a collection of famous brothers for each of the 16 countries here in Slovakia.
Austria—No need to look further than this year, where Thomas and Michael Raffl are playing alongside one another. This is their third time together, the other years being 2011 and 2015.
It’s rarer, though, for brothers to play at the same tournament together, and at the other end of the spectrum is the Reichel brothers, Robert and Martin. They played at the same Worlds, that’s for sure – 2003. But, they played for different countries, the only time this has ever happened. Robert played for the Czech Republic while Martin played for Germany.
But here is a collection of famous brothers for each of the 16 countries here in Slovakia.
Austria—No need to look further than this year, where Thomas and Michael Raffl are playing alongside one another. This is their third time together, the other years being 2011 and 2015.
The Raffl brothers Thomas and Michael from Austria during the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Canada—There are several brothers to choose from, but surely Scott and Rob Niedermayer are among the most memorable. Scott played the WM only once, in 2004, in large part because it was an opportunity to play with Rob. They made the most of it, helping Canada win gold. As a result of this win, Scott joined the Triple Gold Club.
Czech Republic—Again, we need look no further than this year to Hynek and Tomas Zohorna. What makes them interesting is that although Tomas is 31 and Hynek 28, they are both making their World Championship debuts.
Denmark—Markus and Oliver Lauridsen are also here playing in Kosice, but they are hardly new to the tournament. Indeed, this is their sixth time together, having played in every WM between 2013 and 2017.
Finland—Saku and Mikko Koivu helped Finland win a bronze at the 2008 Worlds in Quebec City. Given that they are nine years apart, it’s quite remarkable they played together even once.
France—Stephane and Teddy DaCosta have played together at no fewer than six World Championships—2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018. Of course, their career highlight was 2017 when the tournament was held in Paris, and the brothers could play in front of their home fans.
Great Britain—Not a lot to choose from given that GB hasn’t been in the top pool since 1994, but that year saw brothers Ian and Stephen Cooper play together. Unfortunately, the team was demoted after that tournament, returning only this year. The more famous Carruthers brothers—Colin and Eric—played together at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, but never at the Worlds. During the 1930s
Germany—In recent years, perhaps the combination that sticks out most easily is Michael and Jurgen Rumrich, who played for the Germans at the 1992 Worlds when they finished 6th. There have been several other brothers play but not many in the same year.
Italy—Diego and Simon Kostner have been playing together this year, and they also played in 2017. They will get the chance to play again next year as the Italians are off to Switzerland after sending Austria down on Monday.
Latvia—Roberts and Rihards Bukarts are another brother combo this year, and this is their third straight year together. Roberts is five years older, but they represented Latvia in 2017 and 2018 as well. Before that there were the three Redlihs brothers Krisjanis, Jekabs and Mikelis. They didn't play a World Championship as a trio but there were several Worlds with two of them at once.
Norway—As brother tandems go, Mathis and Ken Andre Olimb are as legendary as they get. The pair are now in their thirties, but they have played at two Olympics together—2014 and 2018—as well as an incredible eight World Championships, every year from 2010 to 2018.
Russia—Russia hasn’t produce many brother combinations at Worlds in recent years. Valeri and Pavel Bure never played a WM together but did so at Olymypics, as did Boris and Dmitri Mironov. Sergei and Fyodor Fyodorov also didn't manage to play the Worlds together. But back in the older days twin brothers Boris and Yevgeni Mayorov played together at the 1961 and 1963 Worlds, and Alexander and Vladimir Golikov won back-to-back world titles together in 1978 and 1979.
Switzerland—The Swiss have a rich tradition of family participation, starting with the famous Ferdinand “Pic” and Hans Cattini in the 1930s. “Pic” is in the IIHF Hall of Fame. In terms of participation, they played exactly the same events during their international careers. Together they were at the 1936 and 1948 Olympics as well as seven World Championships between 1933 and 1949 (1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1949).
Slovakia—The three Stastny brothers are, of course, legendary in Slovakia, even thought many of their greatest moments were with Czechoslovakia prior to the breakup of the country. Anton, the youngest, never played with his brothers at the Worlds (although he played with Marian at the 1980 Olympics). But Peter and Marian played together at four Worlds, 1976-79 inclusive. Of course, they soon defected to play in the NHL.
Czech Republic—Again, we need look no further than this year to Hynek and Tomas Zohorna. What makes them interesting is that although Tomas is 31 and Hynek 28, they are both making their World Championship debuts.
Denmark—Markus and Oliver Lauridsen are also here playing in Kosice, but they are hardly new to the tournament. Indeed, this is their sixth time together, having played in every WM between 2013 and 2017.
Finland—Saku and Mikko Koivu helped Finland win a bronze at the 2008 Worlds in Quebec City. Given that they are nine years apart, it’s quite remarkable they played together even once.
France—Stephane and Teddy DaCosta have played together at no fewer than six World Championships—2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018. Of course, their career highlight was 2017 when the tournament was held in Paris, and the brothers could play in front of their home fans.
Great Britain—Not a lot to choose from given that GB hasn’t been in the top pool since 1994, but that year saw brothers Ian and Stephen Cooper play together. Unfortunately, the team was demoted after that tournament, returning only this year. The more famous Carruthers brothers—Colin and Eric—played together at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, but never at the Worlds. During the 1930s
Germany—In recent years, perhaps the combination that sticks out most easily is Michael and Jurgen Rumrich, who played for the Germans at the 1992 Worlds when they finished 6th. There have been several other brothers play but not many in the same year.
Italy—Diego and Simon Kostner have been playing together this year, and they also played in 2017. They will get the chance to play again next year as the Italians are off to Switzerland after sending Austria down on Monday.
Latvia—Roberts and Rihards Bukarts are another brother combo this year, and this is their third straight year together. Roberts is five years older, but they represented Latvia in 2017 and 2018 as well. Before that there were the three Redlihs brothers Krisjanis, Jekabs and Mikelis. They didn't play a World Championship as a trio but there were several Worlds with two of them at once.
Norway—As brother tandems go, Mathis and Ken Andre Olimb are as legendary as they get. The pair are now in their thirties, but they have played at two Olympics together—2014 and 2018—as well as an incredible eight World Championships, every year from 2010 to 2018.
Russia—Russia hasn’t produce many brother combinations at Worlds in recent years. Valeri and Pavel Bure never played a WM together but did so at Olymypics, as did Boris and Dmitri Mironov. Sergei and Fyodor Fyodorov also didn't manage to play the Worlds together. But back in the older days twin brothers Boris and Yevgeni Mayorov played together at the 1961 and 1963 Worlds, and Alexander and Vladimir Golikov won back-to-back world titles together in 1978 and 1979.
Switzerland—The Swiss have a rich tradition of family participation, starting with the famous Ferdinand “Pic” and Hans Cattini in the 1930s. “Pic” is in the IIHF Hall of Fame. In terms of participation, they played exactly the same events during their international careers. Together they were at the 1936 and 1948 Olympics as well as seven World Championships between 1933 and 1949 (1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1949).
Slovakia—The three Stastny brothers are, of course, legendary in Slovakia, even thought many of their greatest moments were with Czechoslovakia prior to the breakup of the country. Anton, the youngest, never played with his brothers at the Worlds (although he played with Marian at the 1980 Olympics). But Peter and Marian played together at four Worlds, 1976-79 inclusive. Of course, they soon defected to play in the NHL.
Swedish twin brothers Henrik and Joel Lundqvist won the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship together.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Sweden—Two pairs of twin brothers tower above all others—the Sedins and the Lundqvists. Indeed, it was only in 2017 that goalie Henrik and forward Joel led Tre Kronor to a gold medal. As well, between 1999 and 2013, Henrik and Daniel Sedin played together at five Worlds, winning one gold and two bronze medals.
United States—Perhaps the youngest brothers in World Championship history, this year sees 18-year-old and undrafted Jack Hughes, a forward, playing alongside his brother, 19-year-old Quinn. Hopefully they will play together at many IIHF events to come, but for now they are focused on this year.
United States—Perhaps the youngest brothers in World Championship history, this year sees 18-year-old and undrafted Jack Hughes, a forward, playing alongside his brother, 19-year-old Quinn. Hopefully they will play together at many IIHF events to come, but for now they are focused on this year.