Keith Tkachuk: A Legacy in Hockey, Forged by the Success of His Sons
Keith Tkachuk, although he didn’t win the Stanley Cup in his 18 NHL seasons, has had the privilege of seeing it lifted on multiple occasions. Recently, it was on the ice in Sunrise, where his son Matthew handed him the trophy after the Florida Panthers’ second consecutive championship. Keith, with paternal pride, watched Matthew celebrate with his brother Brady, star of the Ottawa Senators, just a few meters away.
A few months ago, Keith witnessed his sons transcend in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, starring in the initial fights in the match between the United States and Canada.
The Tkachuk family’s fame continues to rise: Matthew and Brady are the cover athletes for the EA NHL 26 video game, appearing in the Deluxe edition alongside their father. The new game includes player tracking data and NHL EDGE puck, as well as a revamped “Be A Player” mode.
The Tkachuks also leave their mark on television. After Matthew was the focus in the first season, Brady was the first player revealed for the second season of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL”, the Amazon Prime documentary series.
“My wife and I are living the dream right now. There’s nothing better than seeing your kids do what they love most,” declared Keith Tkachuk.
Keith Tkachuk
In addition to his achievements in the NHL, Tkachuk especially values what his children demonstrate off the ice.
“They behave well off the ice. They do the things we teach them as kids. They respect the people in the stadium. They are always very cordial,” he affirmed.
Keith Tkachuk
In a recent interview, Keith Tkachuk talked about his children, the Panthers’ celebrations, the 2026 Winter Olympics, and his opinion on not being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Were video games important in the Tkachuk household when they were kids?
Tkachuk: “More with Brady than with Matthew. We kept our kids busy, but they played video games when they had time. Now, when I visit Brady in Ottawa, after putting his son to bed, he comes down to play video games with his friends. I remember when Matthew played in Calgary, I got up at 2 in the morning and saw the light under his door. The next day I asked him what he was doing and he said he was playing video games. I told him: ‘You have to rest, kid’. In my opinion, they are both still kids. It’s phenomenal that they have the opportunity to be on the cover. They have worked hard to get here.”
Apparently, you are also an EA cover athlete, in the deluxe version of the game.
Tkachuk: “I hope my stats are better than Brady and Matthew’s.”Brady, Matthew, and Keith Tkachuk are featured on the cover of the Deluxe Edition of EA NHL 26.
What did you feel being on the ice with Matthew and Brady when the Panthers repeated as champions?
Tkachuk: “Two years ago, we were going crazy. I know this is going to sound bad, but this time it felt routine. But to be able to celebrate it with Matthew, and obviously Brady was on the ice, and my wife, my daughter and the whole family, and to see what he and his teammates have gone through in the last three years… they’re different. It was a lot of fun. And the next five days were also a lot more fun. They’re very good on the ice, but they’re even better off it.”
As a former player, what impresses you about the Panthers’ dedication after winning?
Tkachuk: “You feel a little bit of envy, just because of how united they are as a team.”
Florida’s general manager, Bill Zito, told you that the attitude and the way the franchise behaves come to some extent from Matthew’s acquisition. How proud do you feel knowing the difference Matthew made for that team?
Tkachuk: “You have to give credit to Bill Zito. It took a lot of courage to make that move, and with the owners’ approval, you have to give them credit too. But I’m very happy for Matthew. He chose Florida. That was his destiny, and they were able to close the deal. Paul Maurice is a phenomenal coach, and he and Matthew almost have the same personality. Everyone gets along. Everyone has a goal in mind, and that is to win.”
Matthew has two rings. He has been in the final three years in a row. Brady finally makes the playoffs with Ottawa last season. It was an interesting year for him with the Senators. What do you think of that moment when his team’s owner spoke out against teams “courting” Brady and declared that he would not leave despite those who feel he might want to leave?
Tkachuk: “Don’t believe everything you hear. I think after what happened with Matthew in Calgary, everyone assumes that’s going to happen with Brady in Ottawa. But Brady loves being there. He’s really established himself in the community. They’re a team on the rise. They have a great group of young players. They’re key players. The fans and the city itself treat him very well. He wants to be an important part of that in the future. So I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”
Obviously, Matthew and Brady gave us a great show at the 4 Nations Face-Off for Team USA. What would it mean to you if they could win the first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey for the Americans since 1980 when they play in the 2026 Winter Games?
Tkachuk: “It would mean everything. It really would. I mean, just the fact that they were both named among the top six selected is incredible. But it’s more about them playing together at such a high level, in what is probably the most watched event in all sports, the Winter Olympics. I know they really enjoyed playing together in the 4 Nations. It was incredible to watch. It really was. They had a lot of fun. The worst part was when they went to their training camp for the 4 Nations and ignored me. They knew I had FOMO. I knew it was Matthew. He didn’t let Brady answer my calls. They ignored me for four days until I finally went to Montreal to see them.”
I wanted to ask you about the big change we’ve seen recently in the eligibility rules for college hockey. Brady chose Boston University, where you also played. Matthew chose to play for the London Knights. What do you think of those two paths now that young stars like Gavin McKenna are allowed to go from playing in the Canadian junior league to a school like Penn State?
Tkachuk: “Both are excellent paths to get to the NHL. It all depends on the player. Back then, before the new rules, you had to make a decision. Matthew was late in the year. He wanted to play for the London Knights for Dale and Mark Hunter. Being able to play with Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner was a big advantage. Matthew wanted the experience of playing a schedule of more than 80 games, including the playoffs, and he went out and won a Memorial Cup. Brady probably wasn’t as developed at that time as Matthew. Brady wanted that college feel, that ability to get stronger and grow. It’s a shorter schedule, but he felt that was the right path and it was. Now, with the rule changes, I think it’s great. Gavin McKenna had phenomenal years in Medicine Hat. He’s one of the best players I’ve seen in a long time. Now he can play a schedule where he can rely on getting stronger, growing, playing against older players. I think it’s a good opportunity for these kids to have the chance to play for Boston University or Michigan State or Penn State, wherever they go. You have to do what’s best for you. And NIL money is crazy.”
Would you have agreed to an extra $700,000 in your pocket during your NCAA days?
Tkachuk: “I would have settled for a few dollars a week.”After playing at Boston University in 1990-91, you embarked on a career that many believe should be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are 48 NHL players who have scored 500 goals, and you are one of the four retired players who have not yet been inducted. What does it mean to you when you see fans, the media, hockey people, whoever, joining the cause and saying that Keith Tkachuk should be in the Hall of Fame?
Tkachuk: “There’s nothing I can do. I appreciate the support. I really do. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t happen, life goes on. But my kids are my Hall of Fame. I enjoy watching them. I work for the Blues, but I also get to watch my kids play and watch them grow up. It was an honor to play in the NHL. The game has changed my life. If it happens, I know my mother will be very happy. I think she’s the one who feels it the most.”
Do you feel that Matthew and Brady’s achievements have increased your own profile in regards to the Hall of Fame? Do you think that the fact that people talk about you when they talk about them could help your chances of being included?
Tkachuk: “Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt them. Life goes on when you retire, whether you’ve had a great career, an average career, or whatever. I think the success of the guys, with the 4 Nations, and obviously Matthew doing well and Brady playing in the Canadian market, definitely gives you a little extra boost. But I don’t see it that way. I just see him as their father. I love watching my children play. I just wanted to be around them. And this has been an incredible journey.”
