Keith Tkachuk: Pride in his children, Olympic gold, and the Hall of Fame

Keith Tkachuk: A Proud Father in the World of Hockey

Keith Tkachuk, although he didn’t win the Stanley Cup during his outstanding 18-season NHL career, has had the privilege of seeing it lifted on multiple occasions, especially by his sons. Recently, emotion took over the ice in Sunrise when his son Matthew Tkachuk handed him the coveted trophy after the Florida Panthers’ second consecutive championship. Next to him, in the center of the field, was another source of pride: Brady Tkachuk, star of the Ottawa Senators, watching the celebration. A few months earlier, Keith witnessed how his sons shone in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, being key in the exciting matches that marked the beginning of the tournament. The Tkachuk family’s fame continues to grow: Matthew and Brady are the cover stars of EA NHL 26, sharing space on the Deluxe edition with their father. In addition, the new game incorporates player tracking data and the NHL EDGE puck, along with a revamped “Be A Player” mode. The Tkachuks are also making their mark on television. Following Matthew’s prominence in the first season, Brady was the first player revealed for the second season of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL”, the documentary series on Amazon Prime.

“My wife and I are living the dream. There’s nothing better than seeing your children do what they love most,” declared Keith Tkachuk.

Keith Tkachuk

For Keith, beyond the achievements in the NHL, what really matters is what his children demonstrate off the ice. “They behave admirably off the ice. They do the things we teach them as children. They respect the people around them. They are always very cordial,” he added. Here’s a conversation with Keith Tkachuk about his children, the Panthers’ celebrations, the 2026 Winter Olympics, and his perspective on his possible induction into the Hall of Fame.

How was the experience of seeing Matthew and Brady on the cover of EA Sports NHL?

Tkachuk: With Brady more than with Matthew. We keep 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. And when Matthew played in Calgary, I remember getting up to go to the bathroom at 2 in the morning and seeing his door closed with the lights flashing underneath. 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.” Both are still children, in my opinion. It’s phenomenal that they have the opportunity to be on this cover. They have worked very hard to get here.Are you in the deluxe edition of the EA game?Tkachuk: I hope my ratings are better than Brady’s and Matthew’s.

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 will sound bad, but this time it felt like a 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 are different there. They really are. It was a lot of fun. And the next five days were a lot more fun too. They are very good on the ice, but they are even better off it.

As a former player, how impressed are you by how much the Panthers push themselves after winning?

Tkachuk: You feel a little envious, just because of how united they are as a team. It seemed like it lasted for weeks.

Florida’s general manager, Bill Zito, told you several times that the style, attitude, and the way they behave as a franchise come directly from Matthew’s acquisition in some way. 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 ownership allowing that to happen, they also have to be given credit. But I am very happy for Matthew. He chose Florida. That was his destination and they were able to close a 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 owner spoke out against teams “softly manipulating” Brady and declared that he wouldn’t leave despite those who feel he might want to leave? Tkachuk: I wouldn’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. Brady has really become established in the community. They are a team on the rise. They have a great group of young players. They are key players. The fans and the city itself treat him very well. He wants to be a big 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 both of them were named among the top six picks 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 enjoyed playing together a lot in the 4 Nations. I mean, it was something to see. It really was. They had a lot of fun.

The worst part of it all was when they went to their training camp for the 4 Nations and they ignored me. They knew I had FOMO. They knew it was Matthew. They wouldn’t let Brady answer my phone 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 Canadian junior leagues to a school like Penn State?

Tkachuk: Both are excellent paths to reach 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 of Dale and Mark Hunter. Being able to play with Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner was a great advantage. Matthew wanted that 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 feeling, that ability to strengthen and grow. It’s a minor calendar, but he felt that was the right path and it was. Now, with the changes in the rules, 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 have been 48 NHL players who scored 500 goals, and you are one of only 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 not, life goes on. But my kids are my Hall of Fame. I enjoy watching them. I work for the Blues, but I can also watch my kids play and watch them grow. It was an honor to play in the NHL. The game has changed my life. If it happens, I know my mother will be extremely happy. I think she is the one who feels it the most. We have to take her before the selection committee. Speaking of family: Do you feel that Matthew and Brady’s achievements may have raised your own profile with respect 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 getting in? 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 close to them. And this has been an incredible journey.