Slavin Brothers Relishing Opportunity to Play Together – MASHAHER

The Carolina Hurricanes are no strangers to brothers.

We all remember the Svechnikov Bowls and, I mean, who else can claim to have had two brothers both serve as captains of the team or to have had three all start a game on the same line?

While the Staal family has a strong legacy in Carolina, the latest iteration of brotherly teammates is here in the Slavins.

Jaccob Slavin, 30, has been with the Hurricanes since he was drafted by the team 120th overall in the 2012 draft.

And after making his debut with Carolina during the 2015-16 season, he’s never looked back, now the team’s all-time leader in points by a defensemen and inked to a fresh eight-year deal that kicks in next season.

While Jaccob, who’s also an alternate captain with the team, has cemented his place in Raleigh, it wasn’t until this season that he gained something he never had: a chance to play alongside his brother.

Josiah Slavin, 25, who was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018, signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes this summer and has been with the team since the start of training camp back in September.

“It’s been fun,” Jaccob said about having his brother around. “We’ve never had the chance to play together in our whole life so it’s been a blast. Him and his wife and their kid have been living at the house for the last four or five weeks now and so it’s been fun. We like to compete in everything so even in our pre-camp testing, at the house, whatever we’re doing, we’re having fun together. It’s good to just spend good, quality time with him. I haven’t had that in 10 years.”

The two brothers actually share very similar paths to the NHL.

Both played AAA in their home state with the Colorado Thunderbirds, then took their talents to the USHL, with both also having stops with the Chicago Steel, before spending two years at Colorado College before being drafted.

But despite the similar paths, a four-year age gap meant that the two have never been able to play together on the same team at the same time.

That was until last Friday when the Slavins took the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes second pre-season game against the Florida Panthers.

Both brothers were in the Canes’ starting lineup and less than seven minutes into the game, Josiah cleaned up a rebound in front to give Carolina the early lead.

“A lot of memories,” Josiah said on the game. “It was a special one for sure. We have like a five-year age gap so we’ve just never been able to play together as brothers so it was a special feeling being his teammate tonight.”

“It was so special,” Jaccob said. “We’re both very blessed and thankful for the opportunity we’ve been given to play the game of hockey. Obviously we both have the same mindset, trying to glorify God while we’re out there, but to do it together and have our parents in the stands watching even if it’s just pre-season, it was still really special and really fun.”

The two brothers not only share a talent for hockey, but also a devout faith that helps to guide their lives.

“We’re both very blessed and thankful for the opportunity we’ve been given to play the game of hockey,” Jaccob said. “Obviously we both have the same mindset, trying to glorify God while we’re out there, but to do it together and have our parents in the stands watching even if it’s just pre-season, it’s still really special and really fun.”

Following Carolina’s 8-2 win, both brothers were also the final two players on the ice as Josiah skated to center ice, kneeling down for a prayer before coming to the bench to give his brother a big hug.

“That’s something he’s done his whole career and his whole life,” Jaccob said of his brother’s prayer. “Really ever since juniors he’s always done that. Super happy that he did that, obviously it’s his testimony, what he feels really passionate about, what we both do, so to watch him do it and give him that hug after was really special.”

While Jaccob is a guaranteed piece of the Hurricanes’ future, Josiah has a more unsure path ahead of him, but he’s done very well this pre-season and has demonstrated a strong forechecking and physical game.

“I’m not very much of a skill player,” Josiah said. “I just like to hunt on the forecheck and get to the net-front. So the style of play here really fits my game.

At the very least, he’s made an impression on the coach.

“He played well tonight,” Brind’Amour said. “He’s a big body and you need that. Can’t have all little guys. It doesn’t work. So it’s nice to see some of these big guys that can contribute.”

Even if the Slavins don’t get the chance to play together again, they’ll always be able to look back and relish these moments.

Not only sharing the ice, but being able to once again spend quality time together as a family.

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