Ryan and Sean Hofstetter

It was a magical winter for the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association champion Columbia Ice Eagles, and even more so for two teammates who have the same ice flowing through their veins.

Brothers Sean and Ryan Hofstetter were key to Columbia’s offense this season, scoring 55 total goals between them. 

The Hofstetter brothers displayed a special chemistry on the same line that was unmatched in the league, a testament to years of practice and a common passion for the game.

“They just come out and quietly do their jobs,” Columbia head coach Kevin Feager said. “After putting them on the same line, they immediately clicked and played as if they had been together for years. That’s not to say they aren’t capable of playing with others. When lines have to be juggled during the course of a game, they are both able to play with anyone else on the team.  

“Their experience comes from playing at a high level of competition for a lot of years.”

The Hofstetters both play for the St. Louis Prospects AAA Hockey Club, Ryan with the 16U team and Sean with 18U.

Sean and Ryan started playing hockey when they were 6 and 5 years old, respectively. 

“My mom comes from a hockey family,” Sean said. “Ryan and I started out with ice skating lessons. My parents wanted to make sure we had the interest before buying all the hockey equipment.”

Ryan said their parents were hoping at least one of them would want to play the sport that means so much to the family.

Sean’s favorite National Hockey League player is Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, so he wears No. 88. Ryan’s favorite player is PK Subban of the Nashville Predators, so he wears No. 76.

The brothers started playing together with the Columbia Ice Eagles junior varsity team when Sean was a freshman and Ryan was in eighth grade.

“Ryan could only play JV since he was not in high school yet,” Sean said.

Sean said the chemistry occurred almost instantly between them on the ice.

“Ryan is a smart player. He knows when to make the passes to me so I can take the shot, or he gets himself in position for the pass to get the shot off,” Sean said.

Ryan agreed.

“He knows where I’ll be, and I know every move he makes,” he said.

With this season being Sean’s senior year, it was extra special for the brothers to bring home a league title for the Ice Eagles.

“It was a really fun season, and to top it off with a championship with my brother was amazing,” Sean said.

“It was a lot of fun, and I will really miss him being there next season,” Ryan offered.

Both of them hope to continue playing hockey in college.

Sean has already signed a tender with the St. Louis Junior Blues of the NA3HL (Tier III), and has tryout invites from several teams in the NAHL (Tier II).  

Proud mother Kelli Hofstetter said the family was happy that the brothers got to share a championship season together.

“Having them not only play on the same team but on the same line has been so enjoyable to watch,” she said. “Their chemistry on the ice was immediate, and the appreciation and excitement they have for one another makes us even more proud of them.  

“I’m really going to miss hearing, ‘Hofstetter from Hofstetter’ announced.”

Who knows? Maybe they’ll share the ice again at the next level.