For decades, debates have raged about the top hockey families; but what that really meant was, the best brothers in hockey. From Maurice and Henri Richard to Daniel and Henrik Sedin, and brothers with last names like Sutter, Hull, Mahovlich, Stastny, Esposito, and Neidermeyer, the list is long and storied.
But no "best hockey family" list could be complete today without looking at the top sisters in hockey. Right now, there are no sister combos in the PWHL, but that will soon change.
Here's a look at the best sisters playing the game today.
1. Jincy Roese and Joy Dunne
Jincy Roese, a defender, spent the first two seasons of the PWHL with the Ottawa Charge before signing with the New York Sirens. The former Olympian and World Championship competitor as a member of Team USA, will soon be joined by her younger sister Joy Dunne, who is a potential first overall pick in the 2027 PWHL Draft. Joy is currently the youngest member of USA's national team having won gold at the 2025 World Championships. Dunne was the 2023 NCAA Rookie of Year with Ohio State, and is one of the best power forwards in the game. A third sister, Josey played her final season of NCAA hockey last year at Lindenwood.
2. Kelly, Rachel, and Nicole Gorbatenko
Forget a duo, how about a trio of sisters? The eldest of the bunch, Kelly Gorbatenko recently finished a dominant season with Wisconsin in the NCAA winning a national title, and is a member of USA's Collegiate Select team and former member of USA's U-18 national team. At six-foot, she's a unique prospect in women's hockey. This season she'll be joined at the University of Wisconsin by sisters Rachel and Nicole Gorbatkeno. Rachel won gold as a member of USA's U-18 national team in 2024. They're a unique hockey family worth watching.
3. Grace Dwyer and Rose Dwyer
Grace Dwyer is entering her final season with Cornell and will be off the board in the opening few rounds of the 2026 PWHL Draft. She represented USA at the U-18 World Championships and was a big piece of USA's national development team this summer. You could copy and paste that sentence for her younger sister Rose Dwyer who represented USA at both as well, and is about to enter her second season at Cornell. Rose may project even higher than her sister by the time she reaches the pro level.
4. Sydney Morrow and Sophie Morrow
The older Sydney Morrow is entering her final season of NCAA eligibility with Minnesota and is projected as a probably second round pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft. Morrow was a member of USA's national development series and was a U-18 World Championship All-Star with USA. Her 5-foot-10 younger sister Sophie is about to enter her rookie season at Penn State.
5. Layla Hemp, Peyton Hemp, and Josie Hemp
The oldest sister Peyton Hemp was a fourth round pick of the PWHL's Ottawa Charge in 2025. It's another accolade in her career that includes being Minnesota's Ms. Hockey, being the NCAA Rookie of the Year and winning a WCHA title with Minnesota. Her youngest hockey playing sister Layla Hemp will join Minnesota this season coming off a U-18 World Championship gold medal with USA in 2024 and being named the top goaltender in Minnesota high school hockey in 2025. Layla saw action this summer with USA's national development team. Middle sister Josie transferred from Minnesota to Vermont last season playing her first campaign at the NCAA level.
6. Abigail and Chloe Boreen
After captaining the University of Minnesota, Abby Boreen won a Walter Cup with PWHL Minnesota before joining the Montreal Victoire last season and establishing herself as a respected pro. After being selected in the PWHL expansion draft she'll join Vancouver. Her sister Chloe Boreen finished her rookie NCAA season with St. Thomas last year and looks like a player who is trending toward the pros herself.
6. Hadley Hartmetz and Sloane Hartmetz
After an injury erased all of Hadley Hartmetz's rookie PWHL season with Boston, the skilled blueliner who won two NCAA national titles with Ohio State, as well as gold representing USA at the U-18 World Championships, will look to establish herself this season. Her younger sister Sloane is chasing down her sister. She played for USA's U-18 national team last season and will be their anchor on the blueline this year again. She's destined for the University of Minnesota in 2026-27.
7. Maggie Averill, Caroline Averill, Anne Averill
If we could add their mother Alison Coughlin who played for Princeton to this it would be a full circle list. Anne Averill is the oldest sister entering her third season at Dartmouth, but it's younger sisters Maggie and Caroline that will be the best in the family. Both represented USA at the last two U-18 World Championships each with a gold and silver to their names. The duo have played for Assabet Valley and will follow their mother collegiately to play for Princeton.
8. Luisa Welcke, Lilli Welcke, and Lea Welcke
This list wouldn't be complete without a set of twins. The Welcke twins, Luisa and Lilli, have been members of Germany's senior national team for years and are now staples on the roster. They transferred from Maine to Boston University where they are set to enter their senior season. They'll be turning pro next season. The third sister in their family, Lea Welcke has played in Germany's DFEL for several years with Mad Dogs Mannheim.
10. Sara Manness and Kate Manness
Sara Manness made her Canadian national development team debut this summer and looks like a forward with senior national team potential. Coming from Manitoba alongside twin sister Kate, the duo have played for the Burlington Barricudas the last two seasons and are set to play for Clarkson in the NCAA this year. They both are gold medalists as members of Canada's U-18 national team at the U-18 World Championships.
Other Notable Sisters In Hockey
- Angelica DiGirolamo and Lucia DiGirolamo
- Sofia Nuutinen and Emma Nuutinen
- JuliAnna Gazdik and Janessa Gadzik
- Britta Curl-Salemme and Brenna Curl
- Magdelena Luggin and Selma Luggin
- Rosalie Tremblay and Maxim Tremblay
- Brooke Mulvihill and Jordan Mulvihill
- Riley Grimley and Camryn Grimley