Gemel and Givani Smith make history as Red Wings teammates

Gemel and Givani Smith have played hockey their whole lives, but until this week, the siblings from Toronto had never played a game for the same team.
And when the Detroit Red Wings claimed 27-year-old Gemel Smith off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 19, finally pairing him with his 23-year-old brother, the impact of their reunification extended beyond the sport.

The Smith brothers are the first pair of Black siblings in the franchise's 96-year history, and when they took the ice together for the first time on Feb. 14 against the Minnesota Wild, they became just the second set of Black siblings to play for the same NHL club this season, joining Caleb and Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks.
This week, they became the first siblings to play in a game for the Red Wings since Frank and Pete Mahovlich on March 30, 1969, and they're the fourth pair of siblings to dress for the same team in 2021-22, joining Haydn and Cale Fleury of the Seattle Kraken, Darren and Taylor Raddysh of the Lightning, and the Joneses.
Givani Smith](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykpp7H_ajMM)
Prior to Monday's game, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill spoke to the thrilling opportunity the siblings would experience.
"I have a brother and I never got to play with him, and I think it would have been really cool to do that," Blashill said. "I think it will be an awesome experience for those two. Ultimately, we're in the winning business and we're trying to put the best lineup out there and those types of things aren't reasons why we make decisions, but I'm also human."
After the team announced Gemel's addition to the roster, Red Wings fans reveled in the family affair, immediately dubbing the pair as the "Super Smith Bros." on social media.
According to Gemel Smith, the news surprised him at first.
"I woke up to a bunch of texts and thought maybe I had slept in," Gemel Smith said. "The first thing I saw was a tweet with the octopus, and I didn't know what that meant. I saw it and I didn't believe it at first. It was a dream come true for me."

The Smith family also shared in the excitement.
"They don't really show excitement as many do, but they're definitely excited for me," Gemel Smith said. "I talked to my mom and my dad, and they're glad we're here to experience this together. They were definitely excited for us."
Beyond sharing the dressing room with his brother, Gemel Smith felt a family-oriented atmosphere among his Red Wings teammates.
"I just enjoy the guys," Gemel Smith said. "They're really welcoming and it's a tight-knit group. Obviously, I enjoy being here with my brother and being able to be on the same ice."
As a lifelong fan of some legendary Red Wings players, representing Detroit means a lot to Gemel Smith.
"We all had favorite teams growing up, even if it was through video games or jerseys," he said. "My favorite player was always Sergei Fedorov, so I had a Fedorov jersey, and my favorite goalie was Dominik Hasek. It was just a team that I first loved since I was like 3 years old. I just always stuck with them."
Now that his name is a part of the club's rich history, Gemel Smith is ready to show what he brings to Detroit on the ice.
"For me, I know I'm a fast player," Gemel Smith said. "I like to play with skill. I'm a puck-possession player. I like to keep the puck on my stick and play with it."

While Givani Smith was drafted by the Red Wings with the 46th overall pick in 2016, his brother spent the first several years of his career bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL level for the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and the Lightning.
Gemel Smith hasn't been in the organization for long, but according to Blashill, he's immediately filled a gap in the lineup.
"What he's shown in the National Hockey League so far is he can be a good energy player," Blashill said. "He plays center, which gives us good depth at that position. We just need guys that are accountable, can give you energy, that can change momentum without having to need lots of minutes. I think he's a guy who can provide that."
Givani Smith also didn't shy away from complimenting his brother.
"My brother is a fast player, very skilled," Givani Smith said. "He's a good playmaker, too. He likes to shoot the puck. You'll see what he can do eventually."

When asked what his brother's best traits are, Gemel Smith highlighted his physicality.
"I think he's a power forward, big and strong," Gemel said. "He can get in a guy's face and take it hard to the net. He's got a good shot."
The siblings hope to share the ice a lot throughout the remaining season schedule, but don't expect them to be bunking up anytime soon.
"He's not rooming with me," Givani Smith said with a smile during his brother's introductory press conference. "We used to have bunk beds growing up, so I don't want that anymore."
And no matter where the next chapter of their careers takes them, Blashill views the Smith brothers' time in Detroit together as a memorable part of their story.
"I think to share experiences with your siblings is, to me, a treasured piece in life."