Panthers’ Tkachuk embraces leadership role for Team USA hockey
Olympic hockey rules are unlike the NHL in that they don’t allow fighting on the ice. But if they did, Matthew Tkachuk would probably be the first to toss the gloves.
The Panthers alternate captain, also an alternate captain for Team USA in Milan, has spent the first week of his debut Olympics setting the tone for how he wants the United States to approach the first Winter Games since 2014 with NHL players. He’s also calling “gold or bust” on the loaded U.S. team’s chances to win the Olympics for the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice team.
“Anything it takes to get our team going and put us in the best position to win it all,” said the Panthers forward, one of Team USA’s top players at this month’s Milan Olympics. “This means everything to me.”
After last year’s injury-shortened theatrics during the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Panthers’ forward is again shining for the stars and stripes — this time with an even more expansive role on and off the ice. He has moved up to the first line with brother Brady Tkachuk and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel after the trio played on the second line last year behind Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes. Tkachuk assisted Brady on the Americans’ opening goal of the Olympics and minutes later nearly knocked in a rebound goal of his own during a 5-1 drubbing of Latvia on Thursday.
At 28, Tkachuk is squarely in the middle age-wise of the American squad, which features the most NHL experience of any team in Milan besides Canada. Yet Tkachuk’s USA teammates and coaches say the team’s gritty, maximum-effort culture still runs through him. That goes for the ice rink just as much as the Olympic Village.
The team arrived just four days before Thursday’s game, but Tkachuk had already started on the Olympic tradition of exchanging pins with other athletes by the time he met with the media that day. The Panthers’ standout never played college hockey, but compared the Olympic housing to the dorm-style experience he always wanted. He said he’s trying to meet every American athlete in Milan before the Olympics are over.
“It is a wild place,” he said of the village. “It’s amazing to see everything and be a part of it. Obviously without losing focus on the main goal. It’s been great for building camaraderie both as a hockey team and as an entire country of athletes.
Tkachuk has also worked off the ice to mend bridges with NHL rivals-turned-Olympic teammates. He sat down with Guentzel, a center for the rival Tampa Bay Lightning who Tkachuk freight-trained with an open ice hit during last year’s playoff series, to “make sure everything was cool.” Tkachuk also has a history with U.S. teammate Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings dating back to his time playing for the Calgary Flames.
Though Tkachuk is not playing on the same line Guentzel or Larkin, he said squashing any lingering beef was a top priority. He did it as more of a gesture, though, as no olive branches appeared to be necessary.
“We’re all here for the same reason,” he explained. “And at the end of the day they’re good dudes. It’s intense when you’re in a rivalry game in the NHL but representing your country for the ultimate goal supersedes that by far.”
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan, who also coached the 4 Nations Face-Off team last year, said Tkachuk has grown “meaningfully” over the past 12 months, which contributed to his promotion to first line. He cited Tkachuk “selflessness” in timing offseason adductor muscle surgery to recover and arrive in peak form for the Olympics as a “perfect example of what Chucky stands for.”
“Very few players are that dedicated and embody the spirit of our team like he does,” Sullivan said. “He’s a big part of our heart and soul, no doubt.”
Eichel agreed.
“The guy has a special passion for the game,” he said, “and that impacts all of us.”
A fully healthy Tkachuk is a major reason the U.S. is favored to reach the gold medal game along with Canada. First, the Americans will conclude the group stage with games against Denmark on Saturday and Germany on Sunday, then advance to elimination round games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The gold medal game is 8:10 a.m. Eastern Time on Feb. 22.
Tkachuk said winning Olympic gold for the United States and avenging last year’s 4 Nations loss to Canada, in that order, are why he has put all of his chips on the table in Milan. Asked whether he’s taking any special precautions after last year’s 4 Nations injury forced him to sit out the rest of the regular season, then play injured in the Panthers’ repeat Stanley Cup run, Tkachuk was resolute.
“The only precautions I’d ever take are ones that give us the best chance to win,” he said. “So no, I’m not holding anything back.”
