The 10 Greatest NHL Families of All Time

Hockey is often a family affair, with generations of talent being passed down through bloodlines. Over the years, the NHL has seen some incredible relatives dominate the game, from legendary father-son duos to powerhouse siblings. Here are the top 10 most successful family connections in NHL history.

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1. The Gretzkys (Wayne & Brent)

Wayne Gretzky, "The Great One," is the NHL's all-time leading scorer and widely regarded as the greatest player ever. His brother, Brent, also had a brief NHL career, making them the highest-scoring sibling duo—though Wayne accounted for nearly all the points.

2. The Hulls (Bobby & Brett)

Bobby Hull was a dominant force in the NHL and WHA, revolutionizing the slap shot. His son, Brett Hull, followed in his footsteps, becoming one of the league’s greatest goal-scorers and winning two Stanley Cups.

3. The Howes (Gordie, Mark & Marty)

Gordie Howe, "Mr. Hockey," played an incredible five decades and won multiple Stanley Cups. His sons, Mark and Marty, played alongside him with the WHA’s Houston Aeros before Mark had a Hall of Fame NHL career.

4. The Richard Brothers (Maurice & Henri)

Maurice "Rocket" Richard was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season, and his younger brother, Henri, won an astonishing 11 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens.

5. The Stastnys (Peter, Anton & Marian)

The Stastny brothers were pioneers, defecting from Czechoslovakia to star in the NHL. Peter was the most successful, amassing over 1,000 points, while Anton and Marian were also key contributors.

6. The Sutters (Brian, Darryl, Brent, Duane, Rich & Ron)

The Sutter family produced six NHL-playing brothers, each bringing a tough, hard-nosed style to the league. Darryl later became a successful coach, winning two Stanley Cups with the Kings.

7. The Espositos (Phil & Tony)

Phil Esposito was one of the NHL’s greatest goal-scorers, while his brother, Tony, was a Hall of Fame goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks, revolutionizing the butterfly style of goaltending.

8. The Tkachuks (Keith, Matthew & Brady)

Keith Tkachuk was one of the most dominant power forwards of his era. His sons, Matthew and Brady, have continued the legacy, both emerging as stars in today’s NHL.

9. The Niedermayers (Scott & Rob)

Scott Niedermayer was a four-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall of Fame defenseman. His brother, Rob, was also a key contributor in the NHL, and the two won a Stanley Cup together with Anaheim in 2007.

10. The Subbans (P.K., Malcolm & Jordan)

P.K. Subban was a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and one of the league’s most electrifying players. His brothers, Malcolm and Jordan, also pursued professional hockey careers, with Malcolm playing in the NHL as a goaltender.

Conclusion

These NHL families have shaped the league’s history, proving that talent often runs in the bloodline. Whether through scoring, goaltending, or leadership, their impact on hockey is undeniable.

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