Short Shifts Power Rankings: October 9

Throw out the Xs and Os and join Short Shifts for our own weekly power rankings. What is our criteria? Whatever makes us smile, laugh, cry or any other wholesome feeling. This list is updated every Friday with our top moments of the week.

1. Alex Ovechkin's sons

Alex Ovechkin’s sons introduced their dad before the Washington Capitals captain’s final home opener. Sergei and Ilya rocked their dad’s jersey as they stepped up to the microphone and performed their duties. “Your captain, number eight, Alexander Ovechkin,” the brothers announced in unison. Ovechkin patted them on the back before skating out and waving to the roaring crowd.

Ranking: Gr8 MCs

2. Matthew Schaefer

If you ever need motivation to finish your homework, Matthew Schaefer is your guy. The New York Islanders defenseman helped one of Matt Martin’s daughters, Ali, finish her homework in a video shared by Sydney Martin on Instagram. Schaefer clapped and encouraged the adorable preschooler to find one more tree on her worksheet and then lifted her up in celebration when she finished. “Let’s go play soccer!” Ali yelled in triumph.

Ranking: Tutor time

3. Gavin McKenna

Gavin McKenna officially welcomed himself to the NHL on Tuesday. The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie scored his first NHL goal and recorded his first NHL assist in the second period against the Nashville Predators. With under six minutes left in the second period, McKenna received the puck from Auston Matthews and went top shelf to cut the Predators lead 4-3. The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft then hit the arm pump celly.

Ranking: Top tier moment

4. Drew Doughty's letter

Drew Doughty pulled out a gem from his archives. The Los Angeles captain shared a picture of the letter he wrote Wayne Gretzky at 5 years old in 1995. Doughty told the “Great One” about his youth hockey team and his admiration for the then Kings captain.

"You are my favourite hockey player and the LA Kings is my favourite team," he wrote in the letter. "My mommy says I used to cry to stay up late and watch hockey when I was two years old."

Ranking: From one Kings captain to another

5. Nick Foligno and Marcus Foligno

Nick and Marcus Foligno reported to uncle duty this week. The Minnesota Wild forwards’ sister, Cara, shared a picture of the brothers each tying one of their niece’s hockey skates. “When your uncles come to town, you put them to work!” Cara captioned the picture on social media. The brothers were in their hometown of Buffalo for their matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Ranking: Hockey Uncs

6. Brent Burns Doppelgängers

Brent Burns joined a trio on Wednesday. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman met two doppelgängers during warmups before a game against the Winnipeg Jets. The two fans rocked Burns’ iconic beard and his No. 84 jersey as they stood alongside the glass giving a head nod to the defenseman. Burns pointed out the lookalikes to his teammates and laughed in acknowledgment.

Ranking: Triple threat