The Hines family, hailing from North Haven, CT, has become synonymous with the New Hampshire Avalanche program under Chris Cerrella. Jake Hines, this season's team captain, follows in the footsteps of his older brother Tyler, and cousin Devin. Tyler played under Cerrella with the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons before continuing his hockey career at Western New England University (WNE). Jake is now set to follow that same path, having committed to WNE, while contributing seven goals and 19 assists in 26 games this season. Devin, a defenseman, played for the Avalanche in 2017-18 before advancing to play NCAA DIII hockey at Bryn Athyn College and Albertus Magnus College.

“Having players from the same family shows that you are doing the right things for families and players,” said Cerrella. “It helps when family members come through your program and can speak to future players and families about how the organization has helped more than one person in their family achieve success on and off the ice.”

In addition to the Hines family, Ryan Dann and Brody Andriole carry their family legacies into the Avalanche program. Ryan Dann, a defenseman committed to Wilkes University, follows in the footsteps of his older brother Kyle, who now plays NCAA DIII hockey at Albertus Magnus College. Both brothers, originally from Windham, NH, have been lifelong members of the Avalanche organization, progressing through the program from youth hockey to the EHL. Their dedication and development highlight the strong pipeline the Avalanche have built under Cerrella.

Brody Andriole, a defenseman from Branford, CT, continues his family’s connection to the Avalanche. His older brother Rory played two seasons with the team from 2022-2024 before advancing to play NCAA DIII hockey at Tufts University. Brody, now carving out his own role on the blue line, builds on the foundation his brother established within the program. 

The Sember brothers, RJ and Ryan, have been integral members of the New England Wolves, showcasing the program’s focus on internal development. RJ, originally from Webster, NY, began his time with the Wolves in the Eastern Hockey League (EHLP) during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons before moving up to the EHL in 2023-24. This season, the team captain has recorded eight goals and six assists in 24 games.

His younger brother Ryan, an ’06 defenseman, has followed a similar path, playing EHLP in the 2022-23 season before advancing to the EHL in 2023-24. So far this season, Ryan has contributed two goals and six assists in 25 games.

“It means a lot to have both Ryan and RJ Sember playing together on our team this year,” said Wolves head coach Tim Kunes. “They have both been members of our program who have moved up through the years. RJ started at our EHLP team and progressed to EHL, while Ryan started on our U16 team, then moved up to EHLP, and now EHL. Both of the brothers are great kids and hard workers who set a nice example for their teammates. Having players who develop within our program is one of our main goals as an organization, and the Sember brothers are two players who have really improved during their time here in Laconia.”

For the Valley Jr. Warriors, family ties are deeply woven into the organization. Andrew and Cameron Duval represent a dynamic sibling duo currently playing within the program. Andrew, an '05 forward, has recorded seven goals and nine assists in 24 games this season for the Valley Jr. Warriors' EHL team. Cameron, an ’08 defenseman, is making his mark with the EHLP team, contributing five assists in 11 games. Both brothers, from Tewksbury, MA, are enjoying the rare opportunity to play for the same organization at the same time.

The O’Keefe family also holds a strong connection to the Jr. Warriors. Ben O’Keefe, a goaltender, played in the EHLP during the 2022-23 season before advancing to the EHL, where he played in the 2023-24 season and is continuing on with the Warriors' EHL team this season. His older brother, Will O’Keefe, previously a forward for the Warriors in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, has transitioned into a coaching role as an assistant coach for the EHLP team.

"Both families mean so much to this program," said Warriors head coach and general manager Ryan McGrath. "As we continue to stride forward as a program, we hope future siblings and family connections take notice and choose to follow the same path.

The family connections in the North Division highlight the strong culture and development focus within these programs. From the Hines and Dann families with the New Hampshire Avalanche, to the Sember brothers with the New England Wolves, and the Duval and O’Keefe families with the Valley Jr. Warriors, these relationships add a unique dynamic to each team. They not only reflect the trust families place in these organizations, but also demonstrate the lasting impact of a development system 'Where Players Come First', both on and off the ice.