NHL bloodlines run deep for World U-17 Hockey Challenge competitors

St. Louis of course hails from Laval, Quebec and has represented Canada multiple times in international competition, winning gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Which has led to some friendly jabs between he and the rest of his American family.

“A little bit at times,” said Martin. “My wife is American, I’ve been in the United States for 20 something years. I was blessed to play for my country on many occasions and win, there’s nothing better than to represent your country. For us it’s a little different, for me especially to see my son with another country than Canada.”

For Ryan, this week’s tournament is his first time wearing the red, white, and blue of the U.S. national team and said they’re colours he takes pride in.

“You probably want me to say it’s kind of cool,” said Ryan. “I mean, he played for Canada and I play for the USA. There’s no beef between me and my dad, but I know he’s proud of me playing here.”

Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion Martin St. Louis (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

Martin almost didn’t get to see his son’s first game with Team USA however, as he was caught racing against the clock after landing in Calgary on Sunday.

“I’ve never been on that highway between Calgary and Medicine Hat,” said Martin. “I got a speeding ticket trying to make it on time for the game [Sunday]. Unfortunately, the police officer didn’t think that me going on a sprint to a Medicine Hat hockey game was going to help me.”

The St. Louis’ story is one that many families at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge share, as the tournament is dotted with sons of former NHL players.

In particular, the United States roster features many connections to both current and past NHL talent.

Along with St. Louis, Team USA’s roster includes Caden Brown, Red Savage and Tyler Boucher, who are sons of former NHL’ers Jeff Brown, Brian Savage, and Brian Boucher.

Between the four famous fathers, the United States players have a combined 2,883 games of NHL experience to lean on.

The American bloodlines also extend to siblings as well, featuring a handful of connections to three of the brightest prospects in all of hockey.

Along with being the son of a former NHL’er, Caden Brown is also the brother of Ottawa Senators top prospect Logan Brown, a first round pick of the Sens in 2016.

Defenceman Luke Hughes has also generated some buzz in Medicine Hat, looking to follow in the footsteps of his two promising older brothers.

Luke’s older brothers are of course Vancouver Canucks rookie blueliner Quinn Hughes and reigning first overall pick Jack Hughes, who is plying his trade with the New Jersey Devils.

“It’s really awesome to see what they went through and then to experience it myself,” said Luke. “It’s been really fun and it will continue to get better.”

Both Quinn and Jack have represented Team USA at the very same tournament and were able to bestow some advice to their youngest brother before his first game.

“Yeah, we talk a lot,” said Luke. “It’s just a long tournament and you can’t get too high or low.”

Seeing the wealth of experience around not only himself but his teammates as well, Ryan St. Louis said it’s a huge benefit for their program.

“It shows how much USA Hockey has produced top-end players,” he said. “We’ll hopefully try to follow in that direction.”

Like the American contingent, Hockey Canada’s three teams in Medicine Hat and Swift Current feature connections to professional hockey.

Cole Sillinger has already started to carve out his own story with the Medicine Hat Tigers, however it can be easy to forget that he too comes from NHL stock.

Sillinger’s father Mike holds the distinction of the most well-travelled player in NHL history with over 1,000 career games split between a dozen clubs.

With the tournament being so close to the Sillingers home in Regina, Cole said the whole crew has travelled to watch him compete for Team Canada White.

“My parents are down here, my uncle and auntie, grandparents,” said Sillinger.

Sillinger’s Canada White teammate Chase Stillman is the son of two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman, while team captain Justin Robidas’ father is longtime Dallas Star Stephane Robidas.

Amongst the European NHL connections, there might be no one who travelled further to Medicine Hat than Jaroslav Spacek.

NHL veteran and Olympic gold medalist Jaroslav Spacek (middle) (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

Spacek, an Olympic gold medallist and three-time IIHF World Champion along with being a 14-year veteran of the NHL, was among the Czech Republic supporters to see his son David make his national team debut.

David, who has played top pairing minutes with the Czechs, said his dad’s impact on his hockey career can’t be understated.

“He always teaches me what to do and gets me better,” said David. “I think it’s a really good [thing] that he could watch me play and I will do everything the best so I can play here [again] on the national team.”

Entering the playoff rounds and the end to the tournament in sight, the pressure is sure to ramp up on the teenagers looking to capture gold.

Seeing pretty much all there is to see at the highest level of hockey possible, Martin St. Louis’ appreciation for the sport now lives through watching his sons follow their hockey dreams as well.

“It’s amazing how good the hockey has gotten and what these young kids can do at this age,” said Martin. “The evolution of the game is just tremendous. To be able to watch this live and have somebody inside the ropes and cheer, it’s pretty cool.”

by Scott Roblin

NHL bloodlines run deep for World U-17 Hockey Challenge competitors

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