Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/417390
08 MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // DECEMBER.2014 hatever direction Jonny Brodzinski was going, younger brother Michael wasn't far behind. With just 23 months separating the two, little brother was always emulating big brother's footsteps, and eventually strides. But now the Brodzinski brothers are skating on their own paths. Jonny, 21, and Michael, 19, have been on skates since they were 4. Dad, Mike, was a standout at Blaine High School, familiarizing the community with the Brodzinski name before the boys joined the Bengals ranks. Easton, 18, is captain of the high school squad this year. Bryce, 14, is not far behind on the Blaine Youth Hockey Association Bantam AA roster. Mom, Kathy, admits she didn't even know much about hockey before she met Mike in high school. Now she and her family don't know a life without it. "The hardest time of year for me is March and April," Kathy admitted. "When it all kind of stops for that little bit, I'm just champing at the bit for it to start again." Her boys are, too. "Hockey is just a family activity," said Michael. "We go and have fun and play our best and hopefully we can take it somewhere some day." Jonny and Michael have already begun taking their hockey careers to new heights. Jonny has had two standout years at St. Cloud State University, highlighted by a team-leading 21 goals and 41 points as a sophomore last season. As a freshman, he helped the Huskies to their first-ever Frozen Four berth in 2013 while leading all NCAA Division I rookies with 22 goals. Like his brother, Michael had a successful rookie year with the University of Minnesota in 2013-14. A self-described offensive defenseman, he tallied 13 points in 26 games. His performance earned him an invite to the 2014 U.S. Junior Evaluation Camp. Their story has been a rather special one. FaceoFF Family THE BRODZINSKI BROTHERS: A FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIVALRY BY JESSI PIERCE "PLAYING AGAINST HIM, THERE ARE SO MANY MIXED EMOTIONS. I really want him to succeed but I have to push myself to do the same. At the end of the day, I look out for my team and he looks out for his, and it won't change our relationship because of that." — Michael Brodzinski "PLAYING AGAINST HIM, THERE ARE SO MANY MIXED EMOTIONS. W