Senators’ Brady Tkachuk Discusses Trump Call, White House TikTok, and Gold Medal Victory
Brady Tkachuk, the captain of the Ottawa Senators, addressed recent comments made by former President Donald Trump regarding the U.S. women’s hockey team. Following the men’s hockey team’s gold medal win over Canada, Trump jokingly suggested he would invite the women’s team to the White House to avoid political repercussions. This remark was met with disapproval from U.S. women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight, who labeled it “distasteful and unfortunate.”
Brady Tkachuk’s Perspective
Tkachuk expressed understanding for the women’s team’s feelings. He admitted he was caught off guard by Trump’s comments. “It was just a whirlwind moment,” he said, acknowledging his lack of a proper response to the situation.
Olympic Experience and White House Invitation
In his first media session since returning from the Olympic break, Tkachuk described the experience as a “dream come true.” He, along with teammate Jake Sanderson, joined most U.S. players at the White House before attending the State of the Union address.
- Location of the event: Oval Office
- Description: Celebration for Olympic achievements
- Feeling: Tkachuk felt incredulous to be in such a prestigious location
After the White House visit, Tkachuk appeared on Fox News, where he reflected on his current standing with Ottawa fans, saying they might not be thrilled with him due to the controversy surrounding the Trump call.
Teammate Reactions
Some U.S. players, including defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Zach Werenski, have apologized for laughing during Trump’s comments. Tkachuk reminisced about the joy both teams shared during the Olympics, stating they were all supporting one another. “We had a lounge in the village where we frequently hung out together,” he noted.
Social Media Misunderstanding
An AI-generated video shared by the White House’s TikTok account also stirred controversy. In it, Tkachuk appeared to use inappropriate language regarding Canadians, which he vehemently denied. He stated that the audio did not match his actual voice.
- Video views: Over 11 million
- Response: Tkachuk emphasized the video misrepresented his character
His teammate Sanderson remarked that their reaction to Trump’s comments was a mistake but felt it had been blown out of proportion. “If we could do it again, we would handle it differently,” Sanderson stated.
Celebrations and Criticism
Despite the backlash, fellow Senators teammate Drake Batherson recognized Tkachuk’s right to celebrate his Olympic victory. “Anyone who achieved a championship would celebrate,” he affirmed.
Senators head coach Travis Green agreed, stating that their celebration with Trump was not political. “They are just enjoying a significant win for their team,” he added.
Upcoming Games
As for the Ottawa Senators, Tkachuk and Sanderson will rejoin the team in their first game back against the Detroit Red Wings. This match coincides with the Senators’ “Women in Sport Night” event. Currently, the Senators are six points away from a playoff spot, trailing behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
