Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk are gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, with their sights set on capturing Team USA’s first men’s hockey gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” In an exclusive ESPN interview with Greg Wyshynski on August 11, 2025, the brothers, among the first six players named to the U.S. roster alongside Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy, and Quinn Hughes, expressed their determination to challenge Canada’s international dominance. Matthew downplayed notions of “revenge” but emphasized the opportunity to showcase USA Hockey’s progress, stating, “Canada’s owned the Olympics or World Cups… it’s about showing how far along USA Hockey has come.” Brady, playing in the Canadian capital, highlighted the unique dynamic of competing against local fans, noting, “All the people that support you on a day-to-day basis, now they don’t want you to win,” while underscoring the chance to inspire a new generation of American players.
The Tkachuks’ Olympic aspirations are fueled by their standout performance at the 2024 4 Nations Face-Off, where they sparked three fights in nine seconds against Canada, cementing their status as USA Hockey legends despite a 3-2 overtime loss in the final. Matthew, reflecting on the tournament, told ESPN that winning gold would fulfill a lifelong dream and honor past U.S. teams that “haven’t gotten the job done.” Brady echoed this sentiment, citing the 1980 Miracle on Ice as a driving force for their generation, aiming to pave the way for future American talent. Their shared history, including backyard battles and representing the U.S. in junior tournaments, adds a personal layer to their quest, with the brothers relishing the chance to play together on hockey’s biggest stage.
Beyond their Olympic goals, the Tkachuks offered thoughts on the new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), set to take effect in September 2026. The agreement, which caps playoff roster salary relief at $3.8 million—the league’s average regular-season salary—aims to curb teams’ use of long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to gain cap flexibility, a tactic Matthew’s Panthers employed last season. While neither brother delved into specifics, Matthew praised the Panthers’ ability to retain key players like Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand despite cap constraints, telling ESPN, “I thought with the way the money was tied up, you didn’t know if it was going to be possible.” Brady, meanwhile, expressed optimism about his future with Ottawa, dismissing trade rumors and affirming his commitment to the Senators’ young core, which reached the playoffs last season.
The Tkachuks’ rising profiles extend beyond the ice, as they grace the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 26 Deluxe Edition alongside their father, Keith, a two-time Olympian. Their comments to ESPN revealed a blend of nostalgia and competitiveness, recalling “prison rules” NHL video game sessions where penalties were turned off and players were maxed out for speed. As the Panthers chase a historic three-peat and the Senators aim to build on their playoff run, the brothers’ focus on the 2026 Olympics underscores their ambition to leave a lasting mark on USA Hockey. With Canada looming as their primary rival, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are poised to lead a talented American squad, carrying their family’s legacy and the hopes of a nation into the global spotlight.[](https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/45940253/nhl-2025-26-matthew-tkachuk-ea-sports-brady-tkachuk-olympics-usa-canada-cba)[](https://www.espn.com.sg/nhl/story/_/id/45940253/nhl-2025-26-matthew-tkachuk-ea-sports-brady-tkachuk-olympics-usa-canada-cba)
