Bill Guerin Confirms Matthew Tkachuk’s Presence on the US Olympic Team
The Team USA general manager, Bill Guerin, has expressed his confidence in Matthew Tkachuk’s participation in the upcoming Olympic Games in February. Guerin stated that he is “planning and expecting” to have Tkachuk on the team.Tkachuk, Panthers star, underwent surgery this summer to treat a persistent injury and is expected to miss the start of the NHL season. Although Florida has not yet provided details on his condition, Guerin remains optimistic about his recovery. Tkachuk was the only member of the United States Four Nations team who did not attend this week’s Olympic orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan. Guerin revealed that Tkachuk recently called him to update him on his situation. Tkachuk explained that he suffered a groin injury and a sports hernia during the Four Nations tournament, which forced him to miss a large part of the last game against Canada and the last 25 games of the NHL regular season. However, he returned for the first playoff game, where he scored 23 points in 23 games, as the Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Matthew’s brother, Brady Tkachuk, commented that Matthew is feeling well and they have been in constant contact. Bill Zito, general manager of the Panthers, is also part of Guerin’s management staff for Team USA. Guerin emphasized Matthew’s importance to the American team. Matthew Tkachuk was one of the first six players named to the American team, along with his brother Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy. Teams must submit their final rosters in early January, with 25 spots available, two more than in the Four Nations tournament. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan highlighted Tkachuk’s importance to the team, emphasizing his competitive spirit and dedication to his teammates. Brady Tkachuk hopes his brother is in the best possible shape after surgery. The Tkachuk brothers stood out in the tournament for their role in organizing three fights in the first nine seconds of the first game between the United States and Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Matthew Tkachuk stated that the fights aimed to “send a message” that the United States would not be intimidated by their biggest rival. Canada won the Four Nations tournament by defeating the United States in overtime in the final. It should be noted that Olympic hockey prohibits fighting, and NHL players are returning to the Olympic Games for the first time in 12 years. For the Americans, the goal is to win their first Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” of 1980.“If something changes, we’ll do what we have to do. But it’s on the list and it will stay until it can’t,” Guerin declared.
Bill Guerin
