Four Talented Brothers, in the Devils" Familiar Mold Travis Zajac of the Devils, after scoring in a game against the Rangers last month at Madison Square Garden. Bill Kostroun/Associated Press Travis Zajac's face brightens when he talks of long days with his three younger brothers at their favorite rink back home in Winnipeg. "It got pretty heated there once in a while, and there were some fights," said Zajac, the Devils" center. When they played two against two, Travis, the oldest, and Nolan, the youngest, were usually paired against Darcy and Kelly. Sibling competitions are never far away, even if gatherings are less frequent. These days, 28-year-old Travis, in his eighth season with the Devils, can keep a close watch on his brothers. Just as three of the four Staal brothers play in the Carolina Hurricanes organization, there are three Zajacs in the Devils" organization, with Darcy, 27, and Kelly, 25, on the American Hockey League club in Albany. All three are centers, while Nolan, 21, is a defenseman at the University of Denver. The prospect of more than one Zajac in the N.H.L. is a family motivator. "As much as my brothers look up to me, I definitely look up to them the same way and more," said Travis, a first-round pick by the Devils in 2004, who signed an eight-year, $46 million contract extension last January. I want to see them reach the highest heights they can. We've always been there to support each other since we were small and played hockey every day together. Darcy Zajac playing with the Devils" American Hockey League team in Albany. James DiBianco Jr./Albany Devils Darcy joined the Devils organization in 2010 after four years at the University of North Dakota, where Travis also played. Kelly arrived in 2012 after a four-year run at Union College. Darcy played 67 games last season for Albany, while Kelly battled injuries and managed only 14. They envisioned this season as their chance to shine in tandem. Kelly is second on the team with 16 assists, but Darcy was sidelined with a left shoulder injury after four games. He is hoping to return soon, as Albany (21-11-3), second in the Northeast Division, readies for the Calder Cup playoffs. The Zajacs play a purposeful two-way game, exemplifying the style of a Devils franchise that has reached the Stanley Cup finals five times since 1995, winning three with squads playing an aggressive defense-first system. "There's definitely a high character and competitiveness factor that comes with Kelly and Darcy," Albany Coach Rick Kowalsky said. Kelly has been especially key for us this season, the way he competes every night. That professionalism is very important to our team. Darcy also is a heads-up player, very smart defensively. Kelly's darting skating and playmaking style is immediately noticeable on the ice at Albany's Times Union Center. His path to pro hockey is one of earnest dedication. Union College reached the Frozen Four in 2012, and Kelly's contributions still resonate for Coach Rick Bennett. Kelly Zajac also plays for the Albany Devils. "He prepared every day like a true pro - getting to practice early, taking care of himself and always talking to guys in the room and on the bench," Bennett said. Everyone respected Kelly. You knew what you'd get every game from him. You never had to hope. Acknowledged by his brothers to be the most talkative of the quartet, Darcy said he appreciated the opportunity to strive beside Kelly to reach the N.H.L. It's definitely fun playing pro hockey with my brother. It's nice to have family around because it makes everything even more competitive," he said. And it's special that three of us are in the same organization. It shows what hard work and patience can bring. Right wing Mike Sislo, who made his N.H.L. debut for the Devils this month, has managed to skate with three Zajacs. A frequent linemate of Kelly and Darcy at Albany, he also shared shifts with Travis during training camp. "They are such smart players," Sislo said. To have played with all three is neat. And I've really tried to watch those guys to study what they do on the ice that has gotten them so far. They are an impressive family. A fourth Zajac brother, Nolan, plays for the University of Denver. Karl Gehring/The Denver Post For Travis, the tallest of the brothers at 6 feet 3, plaudits are deflected las easily as a puck. "The success I've had has a lot to do with them," said Travis, who has 7 goals and 14 assists this season for the Devils. They pushed me to get better, just like I do for them.  Nolan, the defenseman, said he wanted to be a goalie but was talked into playing defense by his older brothers. How it occurred is something of a family mystery. "Your guess is as good as mine - it just kind of happened," he said. Now I pride myself on not being a forward, because they all are. I'm trying to learn from everyone and carve my own path. The patriarch of this hockey-achieving family is Tom Zajac, 59, a former University of Denver forward. "I'm proud and excited the boys are all working toward achieving their goals," he said. And I'm very glad three of my sons are with the Devils, because once you're in there, they treat you like family. Lou Lamoriello, whose reputation as president and general manger of the Devils has been built on discovering players who precisely fit the organization's model, smiles when Travis and his brothers are mentioned. "They are a tremendous family," Lamoriello said. Humility and hard work are what the Zajacs are all about.