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When it comes to Junior A hockey, having a pair of brothers on the same team is pretty rare. Having two sets of brothers is extremely rare, and three sets of brothers on the same team is almost unheard of.
Almost, but not quite. Just ask the SJHL’s Kindersly Klippers.
The team’s roster currently features three sets of brothers – Cam and Cobe Perlinger, Tylin and Ethan Hilbig and Logan and Danton Cox.
SJHL commissioner Kyle McIntyre said he doesn’t think three sets of siblings have ever played together in the league’s history.
The Perlingers and the Hilbigs are from Kindersley, while the Cox brothers are originally from Prince Albert.
Danton Cox (left) and Logan Cox. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)
Clayton Jardine, the team’s head coach and general manager, explained how he ended up with the three sets of brothers on his team’s roster.
“I inherited four of them, which I’m thankful for, and then Cobe and Cam Perlinger forced their way onto the team (as 16-year-olds), and I’m happy to have them, too,” he explained.
Because of the SJHL’s territorial rights rules, hometown SJHL teams have the first chance to recruit players located within a certain distance, which is why they were able to secure both the Perlingers and Hilbigs for the team.
Both of the Cox brothers were acquired in trades.
“It’s funny how it all comes around. I had Tylin, Ethan and Cam and Cobe in a bunch of skill sessions at 6 a.m. every Wednesday in Kindersley, with them being Kindersley boys. They’ve always been really good hockey players, and it’s something special,” Jardine said.
“Tylin and Ethan have been playing together (on the Klippers), and Cam and Cobe have been playing together their whole lives. You want to preach that you’re a family and brotherhood, and it literally is.”
The Perlingers are the youngest players on the team at just 16. They both look alike and have nearly the same build. Both are five-foot-nine and weigh 160 pounds. They’ve also spent time playing on the same line this season. The only really noticeable difference between them is that Cam shoots right, while Cobe shoots left.
Cobe Perlinger (left) and Cam Perlinger. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)
“We’ve been playing together since we were two on the backyard rink,” said Cobe. “Playing in junior is really good too.”
“You spend every day with the same guy and you kind of build (the chemistry) up,” Cam added.
Tylin and Ethan Hilbig grew up with the Perlingers, and both families are close. Tylin plays on the wing, while Ethan is a defenceman.
Ethan is just over a year older than his brother, and they grew up playing hockey together periodically.
What makes the sibling situation in Kindesley even more unique is the fact that while the Cox brothers are from Prince Albert, but they were already well known to the Hilbig family.
“Me and Logan are the same age, so we always played against each other,” said Tylin. “We both go to Candle Lake, so we’re both close. I was really excited (when they were traded to Kindersley).”
“It was exciting when we picked up Logan, and then we found out a couple weeks later we found out Danton was coming. It was really cool,” Ethan added.
All six brothers said they love playing together in Kindersley.
Logan Cox said he feels having so many brothers on the same team could help bring the locker room a little closer.
“It’s obviously a rare scenario, having three sets, but I think it just brings the group closer together, having that extra level of family,” Logan explained.
Because he and Danton are aged two years apart, Logan said their time in Kindersley this season is the first time they’ve been able to play on the same team.
Teammate Tylin Hilbig said having three sets of siblings on the same squad wasn’t seen as a big deal by most of the other players, but said there may be some sibling rivalry ahead.
“I honestly don’t think anyone reacted that big. It was more there was a little more bickering in the dressing room, because you’re battling against your brother,” Tylin said.
“There’s a little bit of extra (competition) when you’re going up against your brother, but everyone acted pretty normally,” Ethan added.
Cam and Cobe Perlinger look nearly identical. Because of that, the brothers said there are a lot of people on the team that had a tough time identifying them at first.
“I think only the local guys and a few other guys can tell me and Cobe apart,” said Cam. “Now that we’re getting later into the season, they’ve kind of figured it out.
“I don’t think our forward coach Tyler Traptow knows who we are,” Cobe joked. “He just calls us out by our nickname.”
CKOM was able to meet all the brothers at the SJHL Showcase in Warman this past week. The Klippers had a successful showcase, going 2-0 with wins over Melville and La Ronge.
