Family matters

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This article was published 06/04/2025 (195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SALT LAKE CITY — Jeff Schenn has a simple goal when the standard question of who he cheers for when his two sons meet in NHL action is asked of him.

“He says he wants to see overtime and then it’s up to us. That’s his line,” Winnipeg Jets defenceman Luke Schenn told the Free Press in a one-on-one interview on the weekend. “It’s always fun and it’s always exciting for our family. We’re both getting older and have been around a long time and we definitely don’t take these opportunities for granted.”

The latest opportunity for Schenn to face off against his younger brother Brayden comes on Monday when the Jets host the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets will be looking to regroup after dropping two of three games on their most recent road trip, while the Blues are riding a 12-game winning streak that has propelled them into the first wild card position in the Western Conference.

“We look forward to it. It’s fun to get the chance to see him and play him,” said Luke. “I am the most biased older brother in the world, but he’s done a great job of leading that team. It’s pretty impressive the run that they’re on right now.

The Schenn brothers, who grew up in Saskatoon and are two years apart in age, have a tight relationship that includes providing unwavering support while also being open enough to provide constructive criticism when its called for.

When the unvarnished truth comes from a place of caring, it can be easier to digest — especially when coming from a person with more than 1,000 games of NHL experience and his name on the Stanley Cup (which applies to both players in this case).

“Growing up, we always pushed each other. We always trained together,” said Luke, noting that he tries to watch as many Blues games as he can. “We are always each other’s biggest supporters and critics. We can just be honest with each other, in terms of what we think about our game.

“We are always each other’s biggest supporters and critics.”– Jets defenceman Luke Schenn

“Sometimes if I’m not playing well, Brayden will watch and give me his advice or pointers, which I take seriously and vice versa. We train together in the summer, we talk every day during the season.”

The Schenns both earned a silver stick for 1,000 NHL games played this season — with Luke hitting the milestone on Oct. 17 as the Nashville Predators hosted the Edmonton Oilers, while Brayden went up against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 27.

“To be able to achieve that and to be the first set of brothers ever to do it in the same year, it’s pretty crazy if you think about it,” said Luke, who captured two Stanley Cups as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. “We came into the NHL at different times, but have had great coaches and teammates along the way and great family support to be able to achieve this together.

“It’s (about) the journey and being able to continue to grind and go through some ups and downs and have that longevity. To get to celebrate it with friends and family is pretty special.”

One of the most enjoyable parts of the journey for Luke and Brayden was having the opportunity to be teammates with the Philadelphia Flyers for parts of four seasons between 2012 and 2016.

Eventually, Luke was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, while Brayden was acquired by the Blues in a deal that was pivotal to St. Louis winning its first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

“You know what, it’s been interesting. We had the chance to play together for three-and-a-half years in Philadelphia, which was a special time in our careers,” said Luke. “If you look back at it and you think of how cool it was to get a chance to play with your brother. To do all of the little things, driving to practise, dinners on the road, lots of playing.

“Our careers have taken us on different paths. I got traded to LA, he remained in Philly and then he ended up in St. Louis, which ended up being the best thing for his career.”

Interestingly enough, there was a time a few weeks ago when the idea of becoming teammates again was a legitimate possibility.

“There were some things going on behind the scenes. (Brayden) had a full no-trade clause. I wasn’t totally expecting to get traded at all because I had another year left on my contract.”– Luke Schenn

There were multiple teams that investigated the possibility of reuniting them before the Blues went on this impressive heater that’s reminding some observers of the 2019 run.

“We talked about it,” Luke admitted. “There were some things going on behind the scenes. (Brayden) had a full no-trade clause. I wasn’t totally expecting to get traded at all because I had another year left on my contract.

“I knew there were a couple of teams sniffing around a little bit. But he had control of it and he didn’t really want to leave. He’s in a great spot. He’s been there for a long time, he’s the captain there. There were conversations leading up to it, for sure. The Blues were in a certain position, with where they were in the standings. They were definitely not in the same spot as they are now.”

So instead of being teammates again and chasing a Stanley Cup together, they remain opponents who could end up colliding during the post-season, which would be taxing on Jeff and their mother Rita, along with their sisters Madison and Macy.

For the time being, both the Jets and Blues will be looking to finish the regular season on a high note.

The addition to the Jets by general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has changed the complexion of the defence corps and Luke’s solid play prompted goalie Eric Comrie to call him “the human eraser” during an interview after Thursday’s 4-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

“He likes to erase things that happen on the ice that aren’t so good,” said Comrie. “He’s unbelievable blocking shots. He’s a big boy. I mean, he obviously has a lot of hits in his career. He’s pretty high up there on the hit list.”

Luke, who is currently chasing Washington Capitals capital Alex Ovechkin for third place on the all-time hit list, says the human eraser nickname dates back to his time suiting up for Canada in 2008 when he was starring for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League.

“You know what, that has stuck with me since the 2008 world juniors. (Analyst) Pierre McGuire came up with it,” said Luke. “He started calling me that and it’s followed me throughout my career. I get a big chuckle out of it. It’s more of a joke more than anything.

“After my 1,000th NHL game this year, I had a big 1,000th game party and Ryan O’Reilly — who is pretty good on the guitar and crafty with the song writing. He wrote a song and played it in front of everyone at my party. There were probably 130 people there and he called it ‘The Human Eraser.’ He was just basically chirping me and poking fun at me. It’s a memory that I’ll always have. That name stuck with me, but O’Reilly bringing it to life in song form is pretty funny.”

“Off the ice, he’s a good leader and does a lot for our club. He’s getting more and more comfortable and he’s been a huge addition for us.”– Jets right-winger Mason Appleton

Luke has two assists, 52 hits and 22 blocked shots in his 11 games since joining the Jets, while providing a calming presence both on and off the ice.

“Big impact. Defensively, he is elite,” said Jets right-winger Mason Appleton. “Really good in the corners at winning his battles and being physical, boxing out and not letting guys get to the net. He’s a piece that really is appreciated on our back end. Off the ice, he’s a good leader and does a lot for our club. He’s getting more and more comfortable and he’s been a huge addition for us.”

Luke’s best hockey figures may be just around the corner.

“He was tremendous for us — and really played his best hockey in the playoffs,” said New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, who was behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs when Schenn was acquired prior to the NHL trade deadline in 2023. “He was on a pairing with Morgan Rielly at the time and he was tremendous.

“Physical, tough, such a presence. But also broke the puck out well and did little things that help you win. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his game and what he brought to our group there.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld