A Family Affair

Bob, Gary & Ryan Suter (left to right)

Brothers Gary and Bob Suter and Bob’s son, Ryan, have all represented the United States in Olympic competition. Bob was a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team, and Gary wore the red, white and blue at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Ryan recently won a silver medal with the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team and won gold with USA on the 2004 World Junior Championship team, after playing with the NTDP from 2001-03. In addition to their success on the international arena, Gary played 16 years in the NHL, and Ryan is in his sixth season with the Nashville Predators.

Bobby & Brett Hull

When it comes father-son duos, few have had the impact of Bobby “The Golden Jet” and Brett “The Golden Brett” Hull. While Bobby donned the rival Canadian jersey in his playing days, Brett represented USA in both the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics, as well as at the 1996 and 2004 World Cups of Hockey. Both father and son are Hall of Fame inductees, with Bobby inducted in 1983, and Brett in 2009, after a combined 43 seasons in the NHL.

Curt, Harvey, John & Bill Bennett

Rhode Island natives Curt and Harvey Bennett played together with the St. Louis Blues during the 1978-79 season, and Curt holds the honor of being the first American drafted into the NHL to actually play in the league. Younger brother Bill made appearances with the Boston Bruins and Hartford Whalers during his NHL time, and fourth brother, John, made a brief appearance in the WHA.

Kelly, Kevin, & Kip and Ryan & Drew Miller

Brothers Kelly, Kevin and Kip Miller enjoyed successful NHL careers, playing a combined 42 seasons. Their cousins, Ryan and brother Drew also made their mark in the NHL. Ryan backstopped the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team and is currently in net for the Buffalo Sabres, while Drew is a forward with the Detroit Red Wings. All five Miller boys played at Michigan State University, where Kip and Ryan earned Hobey Baker honors.

Don, Tony & Cammi Granato

Cammi Granato gave “Miss USA” a new meaning for hockey, playing for the U.S. women in every World Championship since the inaugural event in 1990, including captaining the 1998 gold-medal Olympic team, before retiring in 2005. In 2008 she was nominated for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 2010 became the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Her brothers, Don and Tony, have both had successful coaching careers, Don in the ECHL and USHL, and Tony has served as both head and assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche, and as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bob, Mark & Patrick Johnson

Wisconsin’s most famous hockey family holds plenty of tradition. “Badger” Bob Johnson was a legendary head coach at the University of Wisconsin from 1966-82 and led the 1976 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team. His son, Mark, later made the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team and recently coached the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team to a silver-medal finish. He currently coaches the women’s program at Wisconsin, hoisting three National Titles in his tenure. Mark’s son Patrick is keeping the family tradition of excellence alive as he enters his fourth season with Wisconsin after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2008.

Ray, Chris & Ryan Bourque

Hall of Famer Ray Bourque passed his hockey genes on to sons Chris and Ryan. Ray played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins before moving on to end his career with the Colorado Avalanche, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2004. Chris was drafted by the Washington Capitals that same year, and made his NHL debut with the team in 2007. He is currently playing in Russia in the KHL. Ryan is a highly-ranked prospect drafted by the New York Rangers in 2009 after playing two seasons with the NTDP from 2007-09. He also played on the World Junior Championship team that won gold in 2010.

Mike, Patrick & Ben Eaves

After an eight-year NHL career, Mike Eaves took over as head coach of the University of Wisconsin Men’s team in 2002, and coached the U.S. National Junior Team to gold at the 2004 World Junior Championships that included his son, Patrick. The youngest Eaves boy also played for his father at the NTDP before moving on to Boston College. After brief stints with Ottawa and the Carolina Hurricanes, Patrick is currently with the Detroit Red Wings. Patrick’s older brother, Ben, was also drafted out of Boston College in 2001 by the Pittsburgh Penguins but saw limited action in the NHL and recently signed a contract to coach in Sweden.

Gordie, Mark & Marty Howe

“Mr. Hockey” went above and beyond passing the hockey game down the lineage when Gordie Howe suited up with both his sons, Mark and Marty, for the Houston Aeros in 1973. Gordie had already seen NHL success, breaking numerous records and becoming the face of the Detroit Red Wings storied franchise for 25 seasons. Marty saw brief stints in the NHL and spent most of his time in the Whalers organization, while Mark won a silver medal with the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team before embarking on a long NHL career.

Fred & Ray Shero

Another father-son tandem, Fred and Ray Shero’s focus was based off the ice. Fred made his mark as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. His son, Ray, also has his name etched on Lord Stanley’s Cup as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also served on the advisory committee for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.