Denton Mateychuk and his four siblings have never lost their competitive edge – or their bond.
Long before Denton’s first NHL game with the Columbus Blue Jackets in December 2024, the backyard and basement of the Mateychuk family home in Dominion City, a small community in southeastern Manitoba, hosted countless games that featured the occasional disagreement.
But none of it – scuffed walls, grass divots or hurt feelings – ever detracted from the fun and fiercely competitive moments the four brothers and one sister shared growing up.
“Both baseball and hockey come to mind,” Denton, 21, told NHLPA.com. “In the summer, it was always two-on-two baseball – we called it Blitz Ball – in the backyard, which was almost nightly. It was always me and my brother Kasen against Maddux and Crosby. It was always competitive and it was always like clockwork going out to play.”
Maddux, the oldest of the Mateychuk siblings and now in his final year of college at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, remembers it the same way.
“We were always a competitive group,” said the oldest Mateychuk sibling, who was twice invited to the Canadian Futures Showcase – an event which includes all the top baseball prospects across Canada. “Us four brothers – not to leave my sister out – brought out the competitiveness in each other, which gave us a good steppingstone early in life to have that type of approach to sports. But that also brought us together and made us work together. It made you understand the importance of team at a young age.
“But I think the biggest thing, when you look back, is being able to spend that time together.”
Denton, the 12th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in 2022, sees those days through the same lens.
“Just having the chance to play sports with one another, to share all those fun moments – you will always remember them.”
Kasen, 19, currently patrols the blueline for the Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, while Brylee, who will turn 14 in February, plays defence for the Eastman Selects in the U15 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League.
That competitive drive was passed down by their parents. Their father, Jason, played collegiate baseball, while their mother, Keela, is an accomplished marathon runner and skating coach.
Support from Jason and Keela came in many forms.
“It wasn’t always easy for our parents,” said Denton. “When I played U18 hockey, we were an hour and a half away from the rink where we practiced and that was two times a week. That all had to be navigated along with everything my siblings were doing with their sports. In my U15 days, it was still an hour twice a week for games and then for games, it was never close.
“For our whole family, it was a dedication and passion for what we loved. I remember I was always excited to be at the rink, be around my teammates and play the game I love.”
Added Maddux, “Our parents sacrificed a lot for us – they knew how much sports meant to us.”
That passion hasn’t faded.
Despite being at different stages of their athletic journeys – and living in different places – the Mateychuk siblings remain closely connected.
One thing that hasn’t changed?
“We still have the odd arguments,” said Denton with a laugh. “My brothers will still have their thoughts on my play, and I will have my thoughts on their play. But that is always done from a good place and wanting to support one another. All we want is the best for everyone.”
Brylee, though, is the one Denton hears about most.
“I hear the most about Brylee, but she is the one I don’t get to watch play. None of her games are streamed and I haven’t been home to watch her games the past couple years – it just hasn’t worked out. I hear from my parents and grandparents what a beast she is on the ice and that she dominates. She is a hard-working person and she loves the game.”
So does Denton, who scored the opening goal in Columbus’ 2025 NHL Stadium Series victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium last season.
The former Western Hockey League standout – named 2023-24 WHL defenceman of the year and Playoffs MVP with the Moose Jaw Warriors – has shown poise well beyond the 94 NHL regular-season games on his résumé.
“Everything is a little calmer this year. In your first year pro, a new country and a new situation – you don’t always know what to expect until you are in it,” said Denton, who split the 2024-25 season between the AHL and NHL, playing 27 games with the Cleveland Monsters and 45 with the Blue Jackets. “There are some growing pains in that first year, but all those different things go a long way in helping you move forward.
“I went into the summer with a positive mindset of what could take me to the next level I wanted to reach. I took a lot of what I learned the year before and put that into my game. I feel like my game is in a good spot. I feel like I am using my poise to my advantage.”
Maddux still finds it surreal watching his younger brother on hockey’s biggest stage.
“You think about those days when you’re around 10 and you would watch guys like [Evgeni] Malkin and [Sidney] Crosby playing – and then Denton is playing against those same guys. It feels little surreal, but obviously, you are so proud and glad that he is out there doing what he loves.”
Their conversations are filled more with encouragement than critique.
“There is always some kind of advice, but mostly encouragement when we talk. Those messages don’t happen five minutes after you lose a game, but just check-ins to show support for each other. It is great to have that bond.”
One that has stood the test of time.
“Being able to maintain that closeness from our childhood days means a lot,” said Maddux. “It is something we will always have.”
(Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images)