Boqvist brothers ‘always dreamt’ of playing together in NHL. Now, they’re doing it with Panthers

It was a quick moment during a preseason game, but it’s one neither Adam or Jesper Boqvist will forget.

With the Florida Panthers on the power play in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Nashville Predators on Sunday, Adam Boqvist fired a shot from that point that Jesper Boqvist deflected past Nashville goaltender Scott Wedgewood.

The brothers shared a smile and fist bump as they went to celebrate with their teammates.

“I don’t think we’ve ever done it before,” Adam Boqvist said. “So, that was pretty crazy. It’s pretty surreal to go through it, but I’m sure we’re gonna get used to it.”

“I always love scoring goals, and coming from him, it makes it even better,” Jesper Boqvist added. “It was good one, for sure.”

If all works out, it could be the first of many.

The Panthers signed the Boqvist brothers — 25-year-old Jesper and 24-year-old Adam — about a week apart this offseason. Both fill voids in Florida’s roster as the Panthers try to defend their Stanley Cup title. Jesper will help round out bottom-six forward depth. Adam is poised to take one of two open defenseman spots and get a look at running the Panthers’ top power play unit.

The two haven’t played on the same team since they were kids in Sweden.

Now, they’re doing it in the NHL.

“It was a surreal feeling,” said Adam, who signed a one-year deal with Florida on July 9, eight days after the Panthers inked Jesper to a one-year contract. “I remember our parents were in town, and my mom’s sister and her family, so we had a big family dinner at a local restaurant. That’s when my agent called and I said, ‘Let’s go with Florida.’ It was crazy, but it was not like we were looking to play each other, with each other. It was more like it just happened to be like that.”

Added Jesper Boqvist: “Growing up, we always dreamt of it. Playing over here and now doing it together, it’s pretty crazy. And we’re super thankful for the opportunity and we have to make the most of it.”

And both have something to prove. Both are entering their sixth NHL season.

Adam spent his two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and three with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 209 career games, he has 85 points (23 goals, 62 assists). Jesper began his career with four seasons with the New Jersey Devils and then was with the Boston Bruins last season. He has 69 points (34 goals, 35 assists) in 236 games.

They will push each other this season as only brothers can do. They know each others quirks, their strengths and weaknesses, and how best to motivate each other.

“I know Jesper better than he knows himself,” Adam Boqvist said. “When he’s down, I can see it without talking with him. Or when his game’s not there, I can see it and just push him the way a family member can. I think overall, we just want each other to succeed and be the best version of ourselves.”