And Then There Were Three

There’s an old saying that three is a crowd. It certainly couldn’t be any more false when it comes to three brothers all playing on the same hockey team - at the same time, I might add.

Such is the case for Riley, Connor and Owen Meyerink. One of them a forward, one a defenceman and the other a goaltender. And two of them – Riley and Connor – are twins.

All three are members of the Essex 73’s of the PJHL’s Stobbs Division, and enjoying what the entire family is calling a ‘dream come true’ season.

“As parents, I guess we couldn’t ask for a better situation than to be able to see our boys playing together all in the same game and on the same night,” says proud father, Rob Meyerink. “For years, it was three different teams. Three different schedules. Three different arenas. Many years of juggling schedules to try and enjoy as many of their games as we could to support all three of them. It could be tough at times.”

What’s so unique about this situation is not just their obvious passion for the game of hockey, but the closeness that makes up this tight-knit family, which includes an older sister Harley, as well.

The dynamics of how this one family has stuck together and rooted for each other, even when playing on different teams in different towns through all these years, is great example of the classic cliché, the family the plays together, stays together.

“We have a special bond, not only as teammates, but as brothers and, even more so, a family,” admits the 20-year old Riley. “We have always had each other’s back whether it was in school, the playground or now on the ice.”

Connor and Owen both share their brother Riley’s sediments when it comes to the family bond.

Though the opportunity presented itself, Connor made a conscience choice not to return to play Junior B with the Leamington Flyers this season. The decision became even more obvious when the 73’s knowing Riley was returning to the 73’s, and brother Owen had a legitimate chance of making the team in his rookie year in Junior. Connor was more then happy to play down a level if it meant playing with his brothers.

“I think we always talked about it and hoped it would happen one day before we hang up our skates for good,” says Connor.  “To be able to do it now, at the Junior level, I think it makes it much more special.”

With Riley and Connor locks to make the team, the only missing cog in the wheel would be if Owen would make the cut..

 “Yeah, I guess it really came down to me making sure I came to camp prepared so I could make this whole dream of ours a reality,” jokes Owen.

Home for the Meyerink’s is St. Joachim, a small town just east of Essex, and as their mother Colette admits, it may have taken 10 years, a lot of early morning practices and late nights on the road to make this happen, but it was all worth it, and today her and husband Rob are enjoying the one point of contact on game nights.

“When I think back through their minor hockey years, the driving, the money invested in travelling, the arena dinners, this is all worth it.  Were both so proud of where they’re at today,” admits Colette.

This particular situation, where three brothers at any level of hockey, play on the same team on a regular basis, is unique. For 73’s General Manager Steve Caldwell, it’s a extremely unique the situation in the sense, all three bring completely different dynamics to this year’s squad.

“When I look at the talent and abilities of all three of them and what they bring to our team, each of them has different elements, not only in their style of play, but what they bring to the rink every night,” said Caldwell, serving his first full term as GM. “Riley brings grit and toughness, especially for someone his size. He’s not scared to get in the corners or mix it up with anyone in this league,” explains Caldwell.

“Owen is a little bigger and can hold his own as well. What I enjoy about watching Owen is his development as an offensive style defenceman every night, which is only going to make him more valuable to our club as he progresses and gets more experience.

For Caldwell, signing Connor really was the perfect find to solidify the goaltending situation for Essex, making them one of the strongest tandems in the Stobbs Division along side veteran goaltender Jax D’Hont.

“Connor is a first-rate goaltender. When he committed to our team, we knew we had something special,” admits Caldwell. “The fact we had a chance to have all three brothers on our team was not the original intent, as much as signing three really good hockey players. It’s a win-win on both sides and surely having the family side of it in the mix makes it that much more special.”

When it comes to those abilities all three brother have significant inspirations and role models they have modeled their style of play after.

For Riley, he was quick to admit Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Like me, he’s on the smaller side, but holds his own out there,” says Riley.

Owen heads to the past, bringing up former Detroit Red Wings captain, Nick Lindstrom. “I always enjoyed his offensive skills he brought to the game as a defenseman. I’m trying to incorporate that style into my game.”

“Definitely Carey Price for me,” admits Connor. “Great goalie. I like everything about him. The way he plays and what he’s accomplished. I still consider him one of the best in the NHL.”

From a young age, all three brothers made their way through the Belle River Minor Hockey Association before eventually making their way to the Junior ranks.

All three brothers attended and graduated from Belle River High School. Riley is currently working in the family Home Health Care business. Owen currently works part-time at a machine shop in Dresden,  looking to eventually become a CNC operator by trade, with Connor considering attending the University of Windsor next year to study Computer Science as a career path.

Nearing the mid-point of the season, the experience of playing together is nothing short of surreal for all three of them.

“Even now, here we are a few months into the season, and sometimes I still do the double-take,” jokes Riley.  “I’ll look and see Connor making the save, then Owen picking up the rebound and starting the break out of our end and then feeding me a pass. It’s like, is this really happening?”

For the parents, it’s a shared awareness, maybe on an even grander scale seeing all three out there makes them as proud as any parents could be.

“Seeing them all in that orange, black and white jersey makes it all worth it,” admits Rob Meyerink.

And what makes this all even more special for mom, Colette, is seeing this all happening for her sons as being part of the Essex 73’s which is the icing on the cake.

“Of all the teams we would have wanted to see this dream come true, it couldn’t have been more perfect than with the 73’s. The history. The championships. Class, class, class. That’s all I can say. What a great organization.”

“The way this has all played out for them, we couldn’t have written a better script to see this happen the way it has.”