Kaplan brothers square off in Predators' playoff series

The current first-round quarter-final series between the Niagara Predators and the Durham Roadrunners is the worst possible scenario for Randy and Abbie Kaplan. 

The parents of Niagara’s Shane Kaplan and his older brother, Durham’s Jackson Kaplan, were desperately hoping their sons would not face off against each other in the playoffs.

Of course, that’s exactly what is happening this week, as the third-place Roadrunners are taking on the sixth-place Preds in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League’s South Division quarter-finals. 

“It’s terrible," Abbie told The Local during a Predators’ home game. “This way, one of them has to lose. We were hoping they wouldn’t play against each other so that both of them could move on to the next round.”

Jackson’s team held the edge during the regular season, with Durham winning four of the six games they played against his brother’s Predators. And the Roadrunners drew first blood in their best-of-three playoff series with a 4-1 win Monday night. Shane was the only Kaplan to get his name on the score sheet, tallying Niagara’s lone goal in the loss. 

Jackson, 22, is in his first and only year with the Roadrunners after having played for two seasons with the Georgina Ice of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. 18-year-old Shane is in his first season with the Preds as well.

Statistically, the brothers finished the season with nearly identical records. Both forwards, Jackson collected seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points for Durham, while Shane amassed eight goals and 17 assists for one point more. They each played 41 games for their respective teams, while Jackson served 31 more penalty minutes than his younger sibling. 

In seven games head to head, including Monday’s playoff game, Shane holds the advantage with four goals and two assists to Jackson’s single assist. 

“They are extremely close, but also extremely competitive with everything from ping pong and video games to golf and hockey,” laughs Abbie about their two active boys, their only children. “Of course, sometimes they fight with each other like all brothers do.”

Shane played rep football and baseball as well as hockey, while Jackson also played baseball and basketball. Both get out to the golf course as much as possible in the off-season. 

The elder Kaplan is in his fourth year studying business at Toronto Metropolitan University, while Shane’s decision to play for the Predators hinged on his decision to enrol at Brock University for his first year in their sports management program. 

“We were very supportive of Shane's decision to try out for Niagara,” Randy says. “It seemed like a great opportunity to be able to play junior hockey near Brock, and it was helpful that we knew what junior hockey was all about from Jackson's two previous years playing.”

Abby and Randy, who live in Thornhill, Ontario, have made an effort to be at as many of both Shane’s and Jackson’s games all season long. That has been possible as Durham’s usual home games are in Oshawa on Monday nights while the Preds play their home games in Virgil on Fridays. 

“When both play at different locations at the same time we usually go together and try to attend an equal number of games for both teams,” Randy explains. “It's worked out pretty well, we've only had to miss a few for each of them but have been able to get to most games.”

He admits it has been nerve-wracking to watch them play against each other. 

“It is a new experience for us to not be able to cheer for one team to win," adds Randy. "Instead, we're cheering for a good clean game for both teams and good plays by the boys and their teammates. We usually hope for a tie and overtime.”

Both Abbie and Randy marvel at how well the boys are balancing the demands of their university programs with those of their GMHL teams, with so many road trips through the season. 

“School has always been a high priority for all of us and this has continued into university,” says Abbie. “They have had to adjust their schedules and manage their time but are making it work. We are extremely proud and impressed with both boys.”

Nevertheless, only one Kaplan can be on the team that wins this current playoff series between the Roadrunners and the Predators.  

One thing is certain, though - the entire Kaplan family will be at Virgil’s Meridian Credit Union Arena this Friday night to see if the Predators can force a game three in the series. 

Just don’t ask Randy or Abbie who they are cheering for.