For the first time in NHL history, two brothers have been traded for each other. Seriously. The historic trade between the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames went down on Friday afternoon.
Arizona announced they had acquired Brett Ritchie and Connor Mackey from Calgary. In doing so, they traded Troy Stecher and Nick Ritchie, Brett’s brother.
The Coyotes PR account then tweeted out the factoid. “This is the first trade in the NHL’s trade database that involves brothers being traded for each other,” they said.
Reactions to the landmark trade poured in from all over.
SiriusXM reacted to the trade with three words: “Super Trade Bros.”
Super Trade Bros https://t.co/TPRWfnVcdN
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) March 3, 2023
One fan created a hilarious faux text message exchange between the two brothers.
— Tie Smith (@TieSmith1069232) March 3, 2023
Broadcaster Chris Mason predicted what it was going to look like when the Ritchies crossed paths in the airport.
One account pointed out a hilariously true fact: The parents aren’t going to need to get any new jerseys.
Sweet. The parents won’t need to get new jerseys. https://t.co/dNIo8CbgOv
— Hypnotist MarcSavard (@marcsavard) March 3, 2023
Another fan wrote, “Imagine getting excited to play with your brother only to be told that he was the one who was sent to your old team.”
imagine getting excited to play with your brother only to be told that he was the one who was sent to your old team https://t.co/vKLABUk2Cl
— x – madi
(@barzillier) March 3, 2023
One fan posed the question, “Do they just switch houses?”
Do they just switch houses? https://t.co/Q3YiHkcEP1
— Calum (@Calum_C) March 3, 2023
And another fan felt compelled to point out to Calgary, “You literally traded Brett Ritchie for his little brother. At least he’s free from Arizona.”
You literally traded Brett Ritchie for his little brother.
At least he’s free from Arizona. https://t.co/zWq8AYB9s8
— ~do re mi♪♫~ (@Lovinggwennii) March 3, 2023