The Tkachuks: Dominating the Ice and the NHL 26 Cover
The celebration on the ice after the Florida Panthers’ victory, with Matthew Tkachuk lifting the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive time, was an unforgettable moment. Beside him, two key figures: his father, Keith Tkachuk, and his brother, Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Senators. This month, the Tkachuk family is in the news again, this time on the cover of the Deluxe edition of EA Sports’ NHL 26 video game.Alofoke Deportes had the opportunity to talk with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk about their history with video games, the Panthers’ intense offseason, Brady’s future in Ottawa, Matthew’s health, and the new NHL collective bargaining agreement.“As kids, Matthew and I dreamed of playing like our father,” Brady Tkachuk commented. “His influence on the way we play and prepare continues to be huge. It’s an honor to be on the cover with him.”
Brady Tkachuk
The Olympic Dream
The Tkachuk brothers, selected for the United States ice hockey team at the 2026 Olympics, discussed their aspirations to conquer gold.Do you see the possibility of winning the Olympic gold in 2026 as a rematch against Canada?Matthew Tkachuk responded that he doesn’t see it as a rematch, but as a demonstration of the progress of American hockey. “Canada has dominated in the Olympics, World Cups, and World Championships. Winning gold would not only fulfill our dreams, but also bring satisfaction to those who paved the way for us.” Brady Tkachuk, who plays in a Canadian city, talked about the dynamics of representing the United States. “It’s a little different. The people who support you daily, now don’t want you to win. But our dream has always been to win the Stanley Cup and a gold medal for our country.”The Tkachuk brothers, along with other players, are already confirmed for the 2026 Olympic Games.
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The Passion for Video Games
Matthew and Brady remembered their moments playing video games together, especially NHL. “We played without penalties and with big and fast players. It was like NHL with jail rules,” said Matthew. Brady added that they had a routine: “After school, roller hockey, dinner and play NHL. We would try to play a best-of-seven series if we had time.” Regarding in-game ratings, Matthew mentioned that it’s not something they talk about much, but there is some concern. Brady, for his part, admitted that he likes to see his in-game rating and hopes for an improvement during the season.Matthew’s and the Panthers’ Future
Matthew Tkachuk was named to the White House’s Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, alongside figures like Wayne Gretzky and Mariano Rivera. However, he couldn’t comment on his participation until it’s official. Regarding the retention of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand by the Panthers, Matthew expressed his surprise. “I was surprised they could keep them. Bill (Zito) did a great job. I want my teammates to be rewarded for their great performance.”Matthew Tkachuk on Aaron Ekblad: “I always thought he would stay, he’s a lifelong Panther.”
Matthew also spoke about Marchand’s decision to stay: “With time and success, you get to know the players and their desires. People don’t want to leave Florida. The only way players leave is for a big difference in money. We have something very good and everyone wants to be a part of it.”Brady and the Senators
Brady talked about the relief of having led the Senators to the playoffs. “We needed to show that we are a team capable of achieving more than just reaching the playoffs. The playoffs are great, but they are not our ultimate goal. The sky is the limit for our group.” He also commented on his training with Trevor Zegras this summer and his new stage in Philadelphia. “He’s a great guy. I think a fresh start in Philadelphia will be good for him.”Trevor Zegras, seeking new horizons with the Flyers.
Finally, Matthew discussed his injuries and the possibility of undergoing surgery. “I still hope to get on the ice as soon as possible. If I have surgery, it will definitely be the first two or three months (of the season) if that’s the case.”
