Matthew Tkachuk and Brady carry their divisive reputation to Milan Olympics
matthew tkachuk and his brother Brady arrive at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan as headline figures in the simmering Canada–United States hockey rivalry. Their history of provocative, physical play — and a notorious set of fights in February 2025 — has made the siblings as talked-about for their style as for their skill.
Matthew Tkachuk: Panthers alternate captain, two Stanley Cups
Matthew Tkachuk plays for the Florida Panthers and serves as an alternate captain for the team. He was a contributor to the Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025, a record that helps explain why many teams would welcome a Tkachuk despite the controversy that surrounds him.
Brady Tkachuk's role and family perspective
Brady Tkachuk is the captain of the Ottawa Senators. Both brothers often invoke their father, Keith Tkachuk; Keith lost the gold medal to Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Brady has said the only advice he received from his father about Canada is that "there's just a lot of regret if you don't win. " He has also said, "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. "
How February 2025 escalated in Montreal and the 4 Nations Face-Off
The brothers were at the center of an explosive opening in a February 2025 preliminary game in Montreal, engaging in three fights within nine seconds right after the opening whistle to "send a message" to Canadian spectators. That same sequence of three fights within nine seconds also figures into the wider 2025 4 Nations Face-Off narrative, when they met Canada and drew attention for the rapid brawling at the start of the game.
Reputation, tactics and the "turtling" criticism
The Tkachuk brothers are frequently labeled among the most hated players in hockey because of an aggressive, agitating style and their ability to provoke opponents. They are credited with top-tier skills but remain polarizing due to heavy involvement in altercations that have led to ejections and brawls. Matthew in particular faces criticism for what critics 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. "
Situational hostility and Team USA in Milan
The hostility toward the brothers is often situational: opponent fans frequently dislike them, yet many admit they'd love to have a Tkachuk on their own roster because of the pair's winning prowess. Both Matthew and Brady are representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, marking their second straight February playing together on the same team after they competed in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
