Like a herd of broncos galloping through an open-field pasture, the Brophy College Preparatory hockey team is a tight-knit group.

At the heart of the Broncos family, coach Michael Grams, a father of two, sees the team’s bond as more than the game of hockey.

“The entire Brophy community is a huge, happy family,” Grams said. “We all watch out for each other and it is almost like we are all related.”

You could call them the Brophy Brothers. Grams’ two sons are with the team along with the two Lindholm brothers.

The Broncos mold together with “the Brophy way” driven deep in the program that Grams instills at games, practices and morning skates throughout the season.

“We always talk about the ‘the Brophy way,’ ” Grams said. “Our main slogans are ‘men for others’ and ‘for the boys.’ They don’t take kids in that school that don’t fit in those mottos.”

The team works hard to compete in the highest division of the Arizona High School Hockey Association and it all starts with a strong bond to stick together as a family.

For the Grams, moving from South Bend, Indiana to the Valley was not easy. Yet, a profound passion for hockey in the family made it work. Grams’ two sons, Joey and Cameron Grams, carry important leadership roles in the Brophy organization.

With Joey as a composed captain on the blue line and Cameron as an assistant coach behind the bench, Michael cherishes watching his sons grow up and mature not only as hockey players but as role models.  

“Lots and lots of pride and lots and lots of tears came as I watched my two children do something that is very important to me and learn to love hockey as much as I do,” Michael said, “It’s a very large source of pride to see that both of my sons have been able to come through as leaders from age five all the way up to now.”

Going back to his early childhood where he first tied up a pair of skates, Joey has looked up to Cameron as a motivation to play the game.

Cameron influences his younger brother to join the hockey team at Brophy so the two could skate side-by-side.

“I wanted to play with my brother [Cameron],” Joey said. “For the two years that we got to play together, it was really fun, and I loved it all.”

Cameron, a 2017 graduate of Brophy, made the team during his freshman season and played as a forward all four years. Joey accompanied his older brother during his freshman and junior years, an unforgettable time spent together on the ice.

Fast forward a year, the 19-year-old assistant coach is making a name of his own, standing by his father behind the bench.

“You can say I am more of the good cop when it comes to the relationship with the players,” Cameron said. “While I am still critical like a head coach, I am also there to lift their spirits. I make sure that everyone is on the same page and we keep that whole family vibe going on the team.”

Joey and Cameron could not have made it where they are today if it wasn’t for the unconditional support from their father. The brothers appreciate everything he has done for them.

“My father has always been there,” Cameron said. “He would always drive me and my brother to games and practices. He’s critical, but he’s very supportive.”

Eric and Patrick Lindholm share a brotherly bond unlike no other.

During their early childhood, Eric and Patrick went on a two-week trip to Sweden for their grandmother’s funeral. Little did they know that is where their love for hockey would spark.

Skating lessons, house leagues and travel teams together at a young age served as stepping stones for the Lindholm brothers.  

Paired together on the blue line, Eric, a senior defenseman, helps out his younger brother in his first year at Brophy.

“I always try to back [Patrick] up,” Eric said. “I give him the very best I can as my partner and brother on the blue line.”

Patrick, a freshman defensem who suffered a broken collarbone against Desert Vista earlier this season, enjoys having his family’s support.

“I wanted to play Brophy hockey because my brother was on the team,” Patrick said. “There’s a lot of tough love in my family. With my injury, they’ve been really helping me out and I appreciate it.”

The Broncos continue to fight through the season with a rocky 1-2 start, keeping in the back of their minds that they skate not only as a team but as a family.