Blackhawks’ Colton Dach to make NHL debut against brother Kirby Dach

Something special is going to happen this weekend.

The Chicago Blackhawks have called up forward Colton Dach from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. The 21-year-old is slated to make his NHL debut on Friday night against the Montreal Canadiens…and his older brother Kirby Dach.

As Colton and Kirby were born over two years apart, they’ve never had the chance to play on the same team, or play against each other for that matter.

Colton has been having a pretty good start to his pro career. In his rookie year with the IceHogs last season, he potted 11 goals and 27 points in 48 games. So far in 2024-25, Dach has posted 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 30 games, certainly earning this call-up to the big club.

Kirby, who was originally drafted by the Hawks and played four seasons with the team before being traded to Montreal, has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 37 games with the Canadiens this year.

Puck drop between the Hawks and Habs at the United Center is set for 8 p.m. ET.

The Blackhawks (12-24-2) have the worst record in the Western Conference, 17 points back of the last Wild Card spot. The Canadiens (17-17-3) are sixth in the Atlantic Division and are just three points behind the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

This is not the first time two brothers will meet in an NHL game. Brothers Eric and Brett Lindros infamously went at it in a scrum back in the 1994-95 season. Also, Tony Esposito’s first NHL start with the Canadiens during the 1968-69 campaign came against his brother Phil and the Boston Bruins, with Phil scoring both of Boston’s goals in a 2-2 tie.

Other notable siblings to have played in the NHL at the same include the many Sutter brothers, the Staals, Rob and Scott Niedermayer, as well as the highest-scoring brothers of all-time, Brent and Wayne Gretzky.