When Doug Kirton left Elmvale, Ontario in December to join the Greenville Grrrowl, his dad gave him a warning: Be nice to your little brother.

Already a Grrrowl, baby brother Scott Kirton is actually 3 inches taller, but five years younger than Doug, 34.

There was, however, no need for their dad's advice. These two are enjoying playing on the same team for the first time in their life.

And getting to know each other.

"We have spent so much of our lives on different continents, this is good,'' said Scott Kirton, who lives at the same apartment complex as his brother and his family. "This also will give me a good chance to spend time with my nieces.''

The Kirtons are the first brother tandem in Grrrowl history, and one of two currently playing in the East Coast Hockey League. The Vandermeer brothers (Dan and Joe) play for the Richmond Renegades.

The Kirtons always thought about playing together, but their age difference prevented them from spending time on the same team.

Doug Kirton was playing hockey before his brother was born. Throughout junior hockey, Scott Kirton followed in his shadow.

"It was a positive thing,'' Scott Kirton said. "In junior hockey I stayed with the same families that my brother had.''

Now it's the little brother who is paving the way.

Doug Kirton spent 10 years playing hockey in Europe. When Scott Kirton realized he wasn't playing anymore, he asked Grrrowl coach John Marks if they could bring his brother to Greenville.

"I thought he would bring us some veteran experience,'' said Scott Kirton, who is the Grrrowl's team captain and assists leader.

Marks jumped at the idea. With Doug Kirton, he got a skilled veteran who would not count against the team's veteran maximum.

An ECHL team only can have four players with more than 250 professional starts. Games played in Europe do not count.

So now the Kirtons play on the same line and are often on the ice at the same time.

"The two are like a little Mutt and Jeff,'' said Marks who has professionally coached and played with brothers. "Sometimes I will mistake one for the other during practice. And I have said something to the wrong one before. They quickly corrected me.

"Really on the ice they are just like any other players. But obviously there is a bond between them. And there is the competitiveness you get between siblings.''

' While Scott Kirton was in Germany, Doug Kirton was playing for teams in both the IHL and the ECHL before arriving in Greenville last January.

"This is special that we are getting to play with each other,'' Doug Kirton said. "I always wanted it to happen. But it would be even better if we were winning.''

Win or lose their parents like the idea.

"Our dad is the most excited about it,'' Scott Kirton said. "He wants to come to a game. I don't know if my mom could handle coming to game. She gets so nervous when one of us plays, I don't think she could handle watching both of us. She would probably have a heart attack.''

But think of the memories this season will provide for the family.

"I'm sure one day Doug and Scott will be sitting in rocking chairs, and they will reflect back on this,'' Marks said. "It will be like, 'Do you remember back in 2000-2001?' "