The celebration on the ice after the Florida Panthers’ victory in the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year was memorable. Matthew Tkachuk, with the trophy over his head, shared that moment with his father, Keith Tkachuk, and his brother, Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators. Now, the family trio is back in the news, this time on the cover of the Deluxe edition of EA Sports’ NHL 26 video game.
Brady Tkachuk shared his feelings about this experience: “As kids, Matthew and I dreamed of playing like our father. His influence on the way we play and prepare is still huge. It’s an honor to be on the cover. Having him by our side makes everything even better.”
Alofoke Deportes spoke with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk about their journey in video games, the Panthers’ intense offseason, Brady’s future in Ottawa, Matthew’s health heading into next season, and their opinions on the new NHL collective bargaining agreement.
The Olympic Look: Revenge or Consolidation?
Before discussing the season, the brothers, who have already been selected for the United States ice hockey team for the 2026 Winter Olympics, were asked about their gold medal aspirations.
I don’t see it as a rematch, but as a demonstration of the progress of American hockey. We’ve had incredible players and national teams that we’ve admired our whole lives, but who haven’t achieved the goal. Winning gold would not only fulfill our dreams, but also bring a lot of satisfaction to those who paved the way for us.
Matthew Tkachuk
Brady, playing in a Canadian city while seeking Olympic gold for the United States, explained the particular dynamic: “It’s a bit different. The people who support you daily don’t want you to win. Our childhood dream was to win the Stanley Cup and a gold medal for our country. We have the opportunity to pave the way for the next generation of children in the United States.”Los hermanos Tkachuk son dos de los seis jugadores que ya han sido nombrados para el equipo olímpico de 2026.
From the Track to the Command: The Passion for Video Games
The love for hockey extends beyond the ice, reaching consoles. Matthew and Brady remember their NHL marathons. “We played a lot, especially during the pandemic. Brady has played more than me, and he was better than me, so I didn’t play much against him,” commented Matthew. They used to customize the game with “jail” rules.
Brady, for his part, remembers a religious routine: “After school, if the weather was good, roller hockey, then dinner and playing NHL. We tried to play a best-of-seven series if it was early, but it was a lot of fun. We played together or, most of the time, against each other.”
Both players still care about their in-game ratings. “There’s a day, maybe at the beginning of the year, where you see your rating or guess another player’s,” Matthew explained. Brady, for his part, enjoys seeing how his character adapts to his real-life performance.
The Presidential Council and the Future on Ice
Matthew was included in the Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Although he couldn’t provide details, he promised to answer questions in a few weeks.
Regarding the continuity of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand with the Panthers, Matthew was surprised, but happy: “I was surprised that everyone could stay. Bill did a great job making sure it happened. You want your best friends to be rewarded for how well they played.”
Brady, for his part, expressed his relief at the Senators’ progress, which dispelled speculation about his departure. “We really needed to make the playoffs to show that we are a team capable of that, but also of doing more than just making the playoffs. The playoffs are great, but that is not our ultimate goal.”
Brady also talked about his training with Trevor Zegras, who will join the Flyers. “He’s a great guy, and I think he’ll do well starting over in Philadelphia under the direction of Rick Tocchet.”
Regarding Matthew’s health, he revealed that he still hopes to be able to return to the ice as soon as possible, although it has not yet been decided whether he will have to undergo surgery.
The New NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Finally, the Tkachuk brothers commented on the new NHL collective bargaining agreement. Brady praised the work of the NHLPA and highlighted the importance of a four-year agreement. Matthew, for his part, celebrated the reduction of the preseason.
