CLASH OF THE TANEVS
Brothers meet in NHL game for the first time
It’s easy to assume that Chris and Brandon Tanev would get crushed on Family Feud. In fact, they probably wouldn’t get invited. Then again, their father Mike is a car salesman and will talk your ear off. So there’s that to consider if game-show host Steve Harvey comes calling.
As for these two brothers, their hockey does the talking because the soft-spoken siblings are not your typical extroverted NHL performers. They are not quote machines in the room, but are machines on the ice.
And when they face each other for the first time, when the Vancouver Canucks host the Winnipeg Jets today in the first of two Rogers Arena meetings this week, this goodnews story is worth getting worked up about — even in a scrum. Think about it. They both went undrafted, went the college route and beat long odds to establish themselves. The dutiful and low-maintenance elder Chris, 26, is a smooth skater and smart-thinking blue-liner, who tops trade wish lists when rival general managers dial up Jim Benning.
Brandon, 24, is a feisty fourthline grinder who skates just as well, checks hard and aids the penalty kill.
And because the winger and his brother could go bump in the night Tuesday, there’s a lot to talk about.
“I don’t want him to win,” Chris said Monday. “We hate losing to each other. If you’ve ever been to our house, there’s an argument going on about something. We’re all pretty competitive. I think my parents will be more pumped up than us.
“It’s obviously a special moment for the family and it’s pretty cool, but I’m not going to let him win. If anything, I want to beat him and he wants to beat me.”
That summation shouldn’t be surprising. They aren’t exactly chirping each other and Brandon wasn’t exactly taking the bait. But he does talk more than his brother.
“We’re at opposite ends of the spectrum,” he said Monday following a Jets practice in Winnipeg. “I’m king of always going very vocal (away from the rink) and he’s more laid back and just goes with the flow. We always wanted to out-duel one another playing sports, but at the same time we’re always supporting each other.”
Brandon had five free-agent offers to consider after his four years at Providence College, where he scored the game winner in the 2015 Frozen Four final to give the Friars their first national championship. The Canucks kicked the tires, but Brandon didn’t want to play in the shadow of his older brother. He wanted to find his own niche.
The experience Chris had with the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose in 2010-11 made a lasting impression. Jets assistant general manager Craig Heisinger was GM of the Moose when Chris played 39 AHL games that season.
“Zinger (Heisinger) was a standup guy and whatever he told me when I was there, he stuck to his words and was very helpful,” Chris recalled. “I don’t know if that swayed his (Brandon’s) decision, but I didn’t push him one way or another.
“I don’t think he wanted to come into a situation where I’m here already. It could get too much attention that he wouldn’t really need. He just needs to focus on hockey.”
Two goals and two assists in 34 games don’t scream all-star team, but Jets coach Paul Maurice marvels at Brandon’s work ethic because a six-foot, 180-pound frame hasn’t stopped the Toronto native from making an impact. He’s second on the Jets in hits (86) and first among forwards in blocked shots (26).
“I’m proud of him,” Chris said. “He has worked tremendously hard, did well in his four years of college and he’s grateful for the opportunity that the Jets gave him.”
Which sounds a lot like Chris and his relationship with the Canucks. He missed 20 games this season with a serious ankle ailment, then made a seamless return last Friday against Tampa Bay. He led the Canucks with 166 blocked shots last season to rank 16th overall in the league.
“He’s very passionate, he just doesn’t show it often,” Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. “He makes such a big difference to our team because of his passion.”
As for that Family Feud reference, it’s Chris who believes he would more than hold his own.
“I’m all right on Family Feud,” he said. “I think out my answers more than them (the rest of his family) — they would just blab something.”
There you go. That’s as much chirping as you’re going to get from the Tanev clan.
OF NOTE: Jacob Markstrom gets the start Tuesday. Desjardins is contemplating a slight roster adjustment. Brendan Gaunce has been a healthy scratch the last three games.