Matthew Tkachuk: why matthew tkachuk and Brady draw Olympic ire
matthew tkachuk and his brother Brady arrive at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan as both stars and lightning rods. The siblings’ aggressive, agitating style and repeated involvement in fights and ejections have made them central figures in the heated United States–Canada rivalry.
Brothers at the 2026 Olympics
Both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. This is their second straight February wearing the same national jersey after they competed together at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Matthew Tkachuk's role and record
Matthew plays for the Florida Panthers as an alternate captain and is credited with contributing to the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025. That on-ice success helps explain why many opponents’ fans say they would still want a Tkachuk on their team despite disliking the brothers’ conduct.
Brady's leadership and reputation
Brady is the captain of the Ottawa Senators. Like his brother, he is frequently at the center of scrums and is known for playing an aggressive, instigating game that many other nations and players find polarizing.
The Montreal brawls in 2025
During a preliminary game in Montreal in February 2025, the brothers engaged in three fights within nine seconds right after the opening whistle. The sequence came at the start of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and was described as meant to "send a message" to the Canadian spectators. That burst of violence is often cited when critics point to the Tkachuks as instigators of extracurricular activities on the ice whenever Canada and the United States clash.
Criticism: 'turtling' and tactics
Matthew in particular faces criticism for what critics call "turtling"—provoking opponents to draw penalties but then avoiding fights once gloves come off. Many fans and players characterize those tactics as irritating or "shameful. " The brothers’ overall aggressive style also frequently results in ejections and brawls, which reinforces their reputation as among the most hated players in hockey.
Family ties and motivation
The brothers often invoke their father, Keith Tkachuk, in discussions of rivalry and motivation. Keith Tkachuk lost the gold medal to Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, and Brady has said that the only advice he received from his father about Canada is that "there's just a lot of regret if you don't win. " Brady has also outlined the emotion behind the rivalry, saying, "There's hatred there. I mean, they've been the top dog... and for us, we want to be in that position, be the best. "
Hostility toward the Tkachuk brothers is largely situational: opponent fans often dislike them for their provocation and involvement in altercations, yet many observers acknowledge the brothers’ winning prowess and the value they bring to a roster.
As the United States and Canada meet on the Olympic ice in Milan, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk remain both celebrated for success and criticized for the means by which they ignite one of hockey’s most intense rivalries.
