Matthew Tkachuk and Brady: Why the Tkachuk brothers have their haters back home — and why they’re Olympic stars
matthew tkachuk and his brother Brady are back under the brightest lights as both represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and the mix of adoration and animosity that follows them at home has become part of the story. Their aggressive, agitator style has made the siblings central figures in the United States–Canada rivalry and a focal point of debate about gamesmanship and sportsmanship.
Matthew Tkachuk's controversial style and the 'turtling' critique
Matthew Tkachuk, the alternate captain of the Florida Panthers who helped deliver back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025, draws particular scrutiny for his blend of elite skill and provoking behavior. Critics single out a pattern labeled "turtling, " in which he appears to instigate or bait opponents to draw penalties but then avoids resolution when formal fights begin. Many fans and players find these tactics irritating or shameful, even as they acknowledge his winning impact.
Brady Tkachuk: leadership, provocation and a united front
Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators, shares the role of provocateur with his brother and often fronts the same on-ice scrums. The siblings’ combination of leadership roles on their NHL clubs and disruptive play on the international stage makes them both celebrated by supporters and reviled by opponents. Brady has described the intensity of the rivalry with Canada bluntly, saying, "There's hatred there, " and has relayed a family message about consequence: the only advice from their father about facing Canada was that "there's just a lot of regret if you don't win. " Their father, Keith Tkachuk, himself experienced losing a gold medal to Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, a family memory the brothers reference when framing the rivalry.
The Montreal opening and the 2025 4 Nations flashpoint
The brothers have a recent history of turning games into spectacles. During the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off — including a preliminary game in Montreal in February 2025 — Matthew and Brady engaged in three fights within nine seconds right after the opening whistle, a sequence intended to send a message to Canadian spectators. That explosive start is emblematic of how their presence changes the tone of a matchup between the United States and Canada, and how tensions can boil over into ejections and brawls.
Why hate and why want them on your team?
Labelled by many as among hockey's most hated players because of their aggressive, agitating play and uncanny ability to provoke opponents, the Tkachuk brothers are nevertheless acknowledged as valuable teammates. Hostility toward them is often situational — opponent fans frequently dislike their style, yet plenty of observers admit they would welcome a Tkachuk on their roster because of the brothers' track record of helping teams win.
Olympic stage and what comes next
Both brothers wearing Team USA colors in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics marks a second consecutive February in which they’ve played together on the same international team, following their joint appearance at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. On the Olympic stage, familiar dynamics apply: their agitator instincts can galvanize teammates and inflame rivals, while their NHL achievements — notably Matthew's role in consecutive Stanley Cup championships — sharpen expectations for performance and outcomes. How opponents, officials and fans respond to their presence in Milan will continue to shape the narrative around the brothers as both players and lightning rods.
The Tkachuk story combines family history, documented incidents and on-ice results: an alternate-captain with recent championships, a team captain with outspoken views, a father who once lost Olympic gold to Canada, and multiple public confrontations that have turned routine matchups into instant flashpoints. Those facts explain why the brothers draw ire at home and remain indispensable figures for Team USA on the biggest stage.
