Print edition: 
Even though he didn't suit up for the Wichita Thunder's victory, tough guy Robin Richards was nonetheless wearing a huge grin as he entered the team's dressing room on Wednesday night.
"What a recruiting job by this guy, huh?" Richards said above the celebratory music blaring throughout the room.
The outgoing winger may be stuck on injured reserve, but he was still proud of the behind-the-scenes role he played in the 5-3 win over Rapid City at Intrust Bank Arena.
During the offseason, Richards recommended that coach Kevin McClelland take a look at Brett and Colin Hemingway, talented brothers looking to return to the United States after playing overseas in 2010-11.
McClelland, who poked a little fun at Richards for taking so much credit, out-recruited several other Central Hockey League teams for the well-traveled pair — determined to play together, they were a package deal.
While they weren't the most highly publicized newcomers to join the Thunder, the brothers have both enjoyed dramatic, game-changing moments.
Brett leads the Thunder, off to a 6-1 start, in assists (six), points (nine) and game-winning goals (two). He has proven to be a clutch player, scoring the game-winner in the sixth round of a shootout victory in the season opener and keeping the Thunder alive in another eventual shootout victory.
Meanwhile, Colin has a team-high five goals and seven points. His big night come Wednesday, when he recorded a hat trick.
"They're both skilled players, and they've both got incredible shots," McClelland said. "They're doing what they're here to do — score goals."
The brothers have played together for parts of the past three seasons _ two in the East Coast Hockey League and last year for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Colin is a nine-year professional who has played for 11 teams, including three games with the NHL's St. Louis Blues in 2005-06.
"We get along on and off the ice," he said. "I'm coming to the end of my career _ maybe I've got a couple years left _ and I want to play with my brother."
Brett, a sixth-year pro, said he and his brother have natural on-ice chemistry — a fact that was evident on Wednesday night.
Colin's hat trick — his first in several years — came with help from Brett, who had assists on two of the goals. The last goal was the most important and most impressive as Brett, after taking an errant pass off his shin, tracked down the puck and lifted a saucer pass across the ice to Colin, who was streaking toward the net, just ahead of a Rapid City player.
During the frenzy of activity during the play, Brett heard a familiar sound: his brother calling for the puck.
"Most years over the summer we're working out together five times a week," Brett said. "Plus, growing up together playing street hockey and all that stuff. I kind of know where he's gonna be at."
The brothers haven't spent much time on the same line this season, but injuries have forced McClelland to do some juggling. So on Wednesday, and likely for at least a few more games, Brett and Colin were linemates, along with playmaking center Aaron Davis.
The line jelled quickly.
"I'm kind of the king of the two-goal game," Colin Hemingway said. "I always score two, never three, so it was kind of nice to play with my brother and get that third one."
