Matthew Tkachuk and Brady: Hated at Home, Stars in Milan
matthew tkachuk and his brother Brady arrive at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan carrying the kind of reputation that fuels the U. S. -Canada rivalry: beloved by teammates, reviled by many opponents and fans back home, and impossible to ignore on the ice.
Matthew Tkachuk at center of debate
Matthew, the alternate captain of the Florida Panthers who helped the club win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, is frequently singled out as one of the most hated players in hockey for his aggressive, agitating play against Canada and other opponents.
Brothers labeled agitators, yet prized winners
Both Matthew and Brady — Brady is the captain of the Ottawa Senators — are known for stirring scrums and provoking opponents. They pair top-tier skills with an aggressive style that frequently results in ejections and brawls, and opponent fans often dislike them even as many teams would welcome a Tkachuk for the winning results they deliver.
Three fights in nine seconds in Montreal
That reputation was on full display during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off: in a preliminary game in Montreal in February 2025 the brothers engaged in three fights within nine seconds right after the opening whistle, an action described by players as meant to "send a message" to Canadian spectators.
On-ice tactics and the "turtling" charge
Critics single out Matthew for what they call "turtling" — provoking opponents to draw penalties and then avoiding fights once gloves come off — a tactic many fans and players describe as irritating or "shameful. " The brothers' aggressive approach has led to both praise for its effectiveness and blowback for its style.
Family history and playoff pedigree
The brothers often invoke their father, Keith Tkachuk, who lost the gold medal to Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics; Brady says the elder Tkachuk’s message about facing Canada was that "there's just a lot of regret if you don't win. " Brady has also said in an interview, "There's hatred there, " reflecting the intensity that surrounds U. S. -Canada matchups.
Both Matthew and Brady previously played together for Team USA at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and their presence again at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan marks their second straight February competing on the same national roster.
What remains clear as the U. S. and Canada prepare to square off at the Olympics is that the Tkachuk brothers sit at the heart of the rivalry: they spark penalties, brawls and headlines, and they arrive in Milan carrying a mix of trophies, leadership roles, and controversy.
The next confirmed event for both brothers is their participation with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where their style and skill will be on display on one of hockey’s biggest stages.
