Brett Ritchie and Nick Ritchie were born less than two years apart in Orangeville, Ontario. They have been in the NHL together for several seasons.

Now they are forever linked in hockey history.

The Arizona Coyotes traded Nick Ritchie and defenseman Troy Stecher to the Calgary Flames just before the deadline Friday for Brett Ritchie and minor leaguer Connor Mackey. According to NHL statistics, it is the first brother-for-brother trade in league history.

“I think it leaked, so they were laughing when I called them,” Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. “It’s unique. If nothing else, we’re unique. It just worked that way.”

Calgary looks to climb to a playoff spot by adding Stetcher and Ritchie, the latter of whom has 21 points in 53 games this season.

Selected 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 NHL draft, Nick Ritchie, 27, has nine goals and 12 assists in 58 games this season.

Older brother Brett, 29, a second-round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2011 draft, has six goals and two assists in 34 games.