Brandon and Chris Tanev were born in Toronto and grew up playing minor hockey in the city.
Brandon Tanev is excited to see his big brother playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Monday, the 32-year-old was one of several NHL players at the fifth annual Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic charity golf tournament in Toronto and discussed what it was like to see his brother, Chris, sign with the Maple Leafs.
"It's exciting. It's one of those things where you, as a kid growing up in Toronto, I'm sure everyone dreams about it, and now his has come to reality," Chris' brother Brandon told TSN's Mark Masters and the media. "He's a great add for them and our family is extremely excited for him."
The 34-year-old defenseman signed a six-year, $27 million contract with Toronto on July 1. The deal carries an annual average value of $4.5 million and Tanev also has a no-move clause.
Chris and Brandon are two of three brothers in the Tanev family and they all grew up in the Toronto area.
"With Chris being back home now, it's very exciting for our family, and him," Chris' brother Brandon said. "Great to see him put on a Leafs jersey being a hometown boy."
Although an older defenseman, Tanev spent the latter half of last season with the Dallas Stars, scoring one goal and four assists while averaging 19:13 of ice time in 19 games.
He contributed immensely to the Stars' back end with his ability to block shots and put his body on the line. Tanev was fourth in the NHL with 207 blocked shots with Dallas and the Calgary Flames.
Tanev will join the Maple Leafs and likely be one of the team's most leaned-upon defenders.
"It's going to be, I'm sure, difficult at times. But at the same time, he's a professional, he takes care of himself, and he understands what it's going to be like playing in his hometown," his brother Brandon said about how he might handle the Toronto media.
"He's very excited, I'm sure, for this amazing opportunity and I'm sure he's looking forward to the season starting."
There'll only be two matchups between Chris and Brandon, who plays for the Seattle Kraken. It'll be a moment that will not only be cherished by the two brothers but the entire Tanev family.
"When he told me that he was going to be signing in Toronto I was so happy for him," Brandon said. "It's a great moment for him, especially, and I think our family was extremely ecstatic."
