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If you are a sports fan looking for bromances, look no further than the NHL.
Hockey players are known to be a close-knit group. Between all the time spent on the ice together and all of the bonding away from the rink, there have been plenty of wholesome friendships to come from the league.
For some, it’s about finding a mentee to take under their wing and teach them the ropes. For others, it’s having that chemistry while playing together that helps build a bond or just someone to spend time with away from the arena.
MORE: When is the 2023 NHL Stadium Series?
In honor of Valentine’s Day, The Sporting News ranks its top 10 NHL bromances.
Top 10 NHL bromances
10. Mat Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier
Mat Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier came up through the Islanders system around the same time. The two were picked in the first round in back-to-back drafts and immediately became close while on Long Island.
However, breakups are a part of relationships, and the two recently had to go through one when Beauvillier was sent to the Canucks in the Bo Horvat trade.
The two have been candid about how difficult the trade has been, but sometimes distance makes the heart grow fonder.
Mat Barzal tells @91Butch what it was like to lose long time best friend Anthony Beauvillier in a trade for Bo Horvat pic.twitter.com/Q1ZKUXgA25
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) February 10, 2023
A little moment between two good friends (Barzal and Beauvillier) during pregame. #Isles #Canucks pic.twitter.com/niLovW4t0T
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) February 10, 2023
9. Mitch Marner and Zeus
A man and his dog. A relationship like no other.
Mitch Marner and his dog, Zeus, have grown to be quite the pair. The Maple Leafs forward constantly refers to his canine pal as “his guy” and even has the letter “Z” on his equipment when he plays.
Most recently, Marner rocked customized skates at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, and he made sure to include Zeus in the design.
Mitch Marner has a ‘Z’ on his stick and glove to bring a little piece of his dog Zeus onto the ice with him. ☺️
(H/T @markhmasters) pic.twitter.com/RFKtrAiqU4
— BarDown (@BarDown) November 28, 2022
Mitch Marner’s custom All-Star Weekend skates have his dog Zeus on them 🥹🐶
(📸: @MapleLeafs) pic.twitter.com/g3nbwoK0Wh
— BarDown (@BarDown) February 3, 2023
8. Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon
Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are both from the same area in Canada, growing up in Cole Harbour, N.S. As a result, MacKinnon idolized Crosby as a kid, who is eight years older.
Now, they are two of the biggest stars in the NHL. The pair spend the summers training together back in Nova Scotia and have both gone to the other for advice. Just last year, MacKinnon called Crosby for advice during the Stanley Cup Final, as MacKinnon had failed to record a goal through four games.
Crosby has three Stanley Cups and MacKinnon has one. Of course, there is only one proper way for you to celebrate your bud winning the NHL championship.
Nathan MacKinnon on Sidney Crosby, Stanley Cup parties:
“I’ve been the drunkest guy at two of his, so he better be drunk at mine. It’s cool, I have my name engraved on the cup with 87, my idol, along with all the best players to ever play this game”#GoAvsGo | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/GKCXGaF5vA
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 27, 2022
Sidney Crosby’s reaction to Nathan MacKinnon winning the #StanleyCup. pic.twitter.com/f3EPUBoQtx
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) June 27, 2022
7. Auston Matthews and Justin Bieber
One of the (many) perks of being a player in the NHL is the opportunity to meet other celebrities. And there is no relationship between skaters and celebs like Auston Matthews and Justin Bieber.
Bieber is a huge Maple Leafs fan, so it didn’t come as a surprise to see him and Matthews begin to bond right away. It started off as Bieber giving Matthews advice on what moves he thought Toronto should make and has turned into a full-on bromance.
Auston Matthews’ and Justin Bieber’s friendship >>>
(🎥: @mapleleafs)
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 24, 2022
Justin Bieber and Auston Matthews arriving at #UFC263 👀
(🎥: @ufc) pic.twitter.com/tmztZqhR6X
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 13, 2021
Justin Bieber is just a normal sports fan 😅
Auston Matthews took @emilymkaplan behind the scenes of his friendship with the pop star in the latest Cover Story ✍️ https://t.co/WEMMAldtpL pic.twitter.com/JZ7YVfNEZO
— ESPN (@espn) October 14, 2021
6. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand
If anyone doubts whether the saying “opposites attract” is true, look no further than Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
The two long-time Bruins forwards have been teammates and friends for over a decade, but they could not be more different on the ice. While Marchand has had a reputation for resorting to antics to get under his opponent’s skin, it would be hard to find a more respected player than Bergeron.
Regardless, they are a dynamic duo on and off the ice and have their eyes on winning another Stanley Cup together this season.
Patrice Bergeron talking about his friendship with Brad Marchand is so wholesome 🥹 pic.twitter.com/sC3bAU5v7Q
— Marina Maher (@marinakmaher) November 9, 2022
Brad Marchand scores and immediately swarms Patrice Bergeron — who has his 1,000th career point.
4-1 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/H6BgD2OtjG
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) November 22, 2022
5. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews
The Blackhawks would not have had the success they had this century without the duo of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The two star forwards helped Chicago to three Stanley Cup wins from 2010 to 2015.
The pair has skated in over 1,000 games together and have been synonymous with Blackhawks hockey for years. The two were so inseparable, they signed identical eight-year, $84 million contracts on the same day in 2014.
Their era in Chicago may be coming to an end. Both are free agents this summer and with the Blackhawks likely headed for a complete rebuild, they could be traded at the trade deadline.
Jonathan Toews hands Patrick Kane the silver stick for his 1000th NHL game 👏
We can’t help but notice Toews meeting Patrick Kane III 🥺❤️pic.twitter.com/33keDEWTvw
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) October 22, 2021
1,000 games together for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. LEGENDS. pic.twitter.com/VDNaKbTxwq
— Four Feathers Podcast (@FourFeathersPod) December 19, 2022
4. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom
Every Batman needs a Robin. Nicklas Backstrom has been that for Alex Ovechkin for years in Washington.
The two Capitals have incredibly strong chemistry. Backstrom has been Ovechkin’s centerman for the majority of their career, feeding his captain one-timers on the power play. It was no surprise to see that Backstrom was the first person Ovechkin handed the Cup to in 2018 when the Capitals won it all.
“F**king rights.” Nicklas Backstrom takes the Stanley Cup from Alexander Ovechkin and they go for a skate. pic.twitter.com/Qp8G74QDbC
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) June 8, 2018
Plus, how many friends can say they have starred in a commercial before?
This Ovechkin and Backstrom commercial is great 😂
(🎥: @massmutual) pic.twitter.com/qw3HsujAYa
— BarDown (@BarDown) October 12, 2021
3. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello
When Kirill Kaprizov arrived in Minnesota in 2021, his chemistry with Mats Zuccarello was automatic. The two have consistently played together for three seasons now, forming one of the most dangerous duos in the league.
The connection isn’t just on the ice. Zuccarello has been Kaprizov’s mentor from the start, and the two have formed a close bond away from the rink as well.
It’s to the point where Kaprizov is referred to as “Uncle Kirill” by Zuccarello’s kids.
Kaprizov and Zuccarello have one special relationship on and off the ice.
After every single practice or morning skate, they can be on the ice for up to an hour doing little contests together. pic.twitter.com/p931WnuAfu
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 24, 2022
Teammates. Friends. Brothers. ❤️
Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello (@zuccarello36) certainly have a special bond. #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/av091t04em
— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2022
kaprizov and zuccarello have the best bromance in the NHL and you can’t convince me otherwise pic.twitter.com/DQOm8iOwOt
— connor (@Connor_779) September 21, 2022
2. Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider
In the Big Apple, two of the longest-tenured Rangers have grown to be quite inseparable. Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider haven’t just been linemates, but also best buds in one of hockey’s best bromances.
Full kreider and zibanejad hug for y’all pic.twitter.com/1RihZjFF8G
— mady (@landespog) January 21, 2023
Sometimes you need a friend to be there for you during the tough times, like when Kreider had his exit interview with the media last season and Zibanejad was there for “emotional support.” And sometimes you just need a friend that is willing to break electronics for you.
Mika said he’s here to watch Chris Kreider’s exit interview as emotional support. pic.twitter.com/znICuwQxCy
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) June 13, 2022
Supportive vibes only. 💙❤️
You LOVE to see it. pic.twitter.com/HNfWBgmUmM
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 14, 2022
1. Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman
Does anything showcase a friendship more than having a signature post-win celebration that everyone in the arena sticks around to watch?
The Bruins goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have emerged not just as one of the best duos in the crease, but the best bromance story of the past two seasons with their patented bear hug after wins.
Boston Bruins goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark’s postgame hugs on the ice are symbolic of their friendship off the ice 🤝
Watch the Bruins take on the Capitals at 1:30pm ET on @NHL_On_TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/m1s6JzHdFU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2022
Love to see #NHLBruins goalies Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark hug routine post B’s win 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/VezOvFoxYJ
— Shukri Wrights (@ShukriWrights) March 13, 2022
Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have brought the victory hug to Fenway Park. 🫂
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) January 2, 2023
We’ve seen the hugs a ton this season — 39 times, in fact, out of Boston’s 52 games. That’s a lot of bromance on display.
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