Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk remain lightning rods as they head to Milan
matthew tkachuk and his brother Brady are once again front and center for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and their presence matters because both brothers bring a history of on-ice aggression and a high-profile rivalry with Canada. That record — which includes back-to-back championships, public criticism and a notorious February 2025 incident in Montreal — ensures they will be watched as much for temperament as talent.
Matthew Tkachuk's role with the Florida Panthers and championship résumé
Matthew Tkachuk plays for the Florida Panthers as an alternate captain and helped the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025. He is frequently labeled one of the most hated players in hockey because of his aggressive, agitating play and his ability to provoke opponents, even as he clearly possesses top-tier skills.
Brady Tkachuk's captaincy and the brothers' Olympic pairing in Milan
Brady Tkachuk is the captain of the Ottawa Senators. Both brothers are representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, marking their second straight February playing together on the same team after competing in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Three fights in nine seconds in Montreal during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off
During a preliminary game in Montreal in February 2025, the brothers engaged in three fights within nine seconds right after the opening whistle to "send a message" to Canadian spectators. That episode came amid a pattern: they play an aggressive style that frequently results in ejections and brawls, and they have often been at the center of scrums when the United States and Canada meet.
Criticism, 'turtling' and how opponents respond
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 find those tactics irritating or even "shameful. " The hostility toward the brothers is mostly situational: opponent fans often dislike them, but many admit they'd love to have a Tkachuk on their team because of the brothers' winning prowess.
Family history and blunt words on the Canada rivalry
The brothers often mention their father, Keith Tkachuk, who 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. " Brady has also been blunt about the feelings around the rivalry: "There's hatred there, " he said in an interview. "I mean, they've been the top dog... and for us, we want to be in that position, be the best. "
How the arc plays into Milan
A recent deep dive examined why the world — and Canada especially — loves to hate the U. S. brothers, pointing to repeated episodes like the Montreal fights, persistent stirring tactics and their palpable impact on USA-Canada games. As the Olympics open in Milan, those elements shape expectations: the Tkachuk brothers arrive as proven winners, polarizing figures and central characters in a rivalry that still draws extra attention whenever the United States and Canada clash.
