Seeing double, doubled: Blue Jackets have two sets of "twins" on the roster

If you are a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, you’ve probably heard a few jokes about the similarities between defenseman Damon Severson and forward Charlie Coyle. But with the recent addition of goaltender Cam Talbot, those two aren’t the only lookalikes to hit the ice this season: Talbot and Erik Gudbranson have drawn their fair share of brother comparisons.

Ironically, when asked when they first realized people thought they looked alike, both Coyle and Severson started with the exact same answer.

"Ah ... that's a good question," said the two Blue Jackets players in separate interviews conducted two days apart, complete with nearly identical delivery.

Both players recall hearing occasional comments about their resemblance before becoming teammates, but the comparisons reached a new level when Coyle arrived in Columbus.

Coyle, being the new guy, had several fans confuse him with Severson at first.

“There were young kids when we were at camp who thought they were talking to [Severson], and they're talking to me,” said Coyle. “[I told them] I think you think I'm Severson. I'm Charlie. I'm new. Sorry!”

Since Coyle arrived in Columbus in 2025, the jokes have only continued. Fortunately for fans, neither player seems tired of them.

“We lean into it. We say we're brothers,” Severson explained. “We grew up on opposite ends of the spectrum, with him being East Coast- Boston, and me being a West Coast Canadian. That's kind of funny. So, we just lean in.”

The Blue Line Team store is also leaning in. They've partnered with 500 Level to create a shirt featuring the duo. 

Then, just when the Blue Jackets seemed to have cornered the market on lookalikes, another set of doppelgängers emerged.

Shortly after Talbot arrived in Columbus, fans and teammates alike began drawing comparisons between the goaltender and defenseman Erik Gudbranson.

Gudbranson had heard about his new "brother" before he had ever met him.

“It was the first thing I heard about him,” said Gudbranson. “I didn’t know he had signed, and Jet [Greaves] told me that he was bringing my brother in, because we look alike.”

While Talbot and Gudbranson haven't spent nearly as much time together as Severson and Coyle, both see similarities beyond their appearance. Close in age and products of the same era of hockey, the two veterans share a similar outlook on the game despite playing different positions.

If they swapped positions for a day, both players are in agreement that Talbot would make a far better defenseman than Gudbranson would a goalie.

"Oh, definitely me. One hundred percent," Talbot said when asked who would fare better in the other's position. "Most guys think goalie is an easy job in practice, but I'd love to see how their body feels after one day."

Of course, once the Blue Jackets found themselves with two sets of unofficial brothers, the conversation naturally turned competitive: which pair is actually more alike?

The four players agreed that Coyle and Severson are the true twins, especially with Talbot sporting a beard and Gudbranson remaining clean-shaven. Still, Gudbranson was quick to point out that similarities aren’t everything.

“Charlie and [Severson] are more similar looking,” Gudbranson said, “and Cam and I are better looking.”

Whether fans see twins, brothers or complete strangers, one thing is certain: the Blue Jackets may be the only team in the NHL where a roster check occasionally requires a second look and a quick glance at the jersey number.