Finally Teammates: Tkachuk Brothers Play for Team USA Tonight

SUNRISE — For just the second time in their careers, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are playing hockey on the same team.

The first time came at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game when the two lined up for the Atlantic Division squad in Sunrise.

Matthew Tkachuk won MVP in what was his new home.

This hits a little different.

Instead of wearing black jerseys with pink and teal accents, the two will suit up in red, white and blue for Team USA tonight at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland.

It is not only the first time the two have really been teammates, but their first time representing their home country since their days of junior hockey.

“We’re looking forward to these two weeks of playing together,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “It’s going to be way more fun playing on the same side as opposed to playing against him.”

It is certainly different than it was last Saturday night when the two were opponents: Matthew scored a goal with three points in the Florida Panthers 5-1 win against against Brady’s Ottawa Senators.

“It is hard not to get excited about a tournament like this, to be teammates with my brother for two weeks,” Brady Tkachuk said. “That’s something that we have always dreamed of doing. It’s a nice story that the last game before that is against each other. We’ll battle it out, then be teammates.’’

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Tonight’s game will be a matchup between Team USA and a Finnish team with four Panthers including captain Sasha Barkov.

While he has heard a lot of the choice things Matthew Tkachuk has said to get under the skin of opponents over the past three years, he figures his gregarious teammate has something special just for him.

“It’s not something you get to do every day,’’ Barkov said with a smile last weekend. “He knows me really well, so, maybe there’s something personal and I may not like it.”

Added Niko Mikkola: “Playing against your own teammates in the middle of the season is going to be weird. Will probably have a little chat on the ice. We’ll see.”

Brady and Matthew Tkachuk watch a replay of a goal by Matthew — which was assisted by Brady — during the NHL All Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Sunrise. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

For the Tkachuk boys, playing for Team USA is a dream come true.

Being teammates, and representing the United States, gives the experience a more special meaning.

Their father Keith is considered one of the top American-born players in NHL history, being one of five from the U.S. to score 500 goals during his long career.

He also played for Team USA in four Olympics — once as an amateur (1992), and three times (1998, 2002, 2006) as an NHLer.

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will almost certainly join him as Olympians next winter.

“To represent my country, to wear that crest. It is such an honor being able to be on a team that says United States of America,’’ Matthew said. “It’s such an honor. We haven’t had the opportunity to do this. I haven’t had the opportunity to do this in nine years so I have really been looking forward to this as my career has gone on. Now, finally, to be in Year 9 and have my first opportunity for it, I just can’t wait.’’

Matthew Tkachuk, center, celebrates the Florida Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final with his dad Keith and owner Vinnie Viola on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise. // Photo @GeorgeRichards

Yes, the Olympics will be there next year for the Tkachuks.

This is about the 4 Nations Face-Off — and the boys seem to be enjoying the moment.

Tonight, the hockey gets going.

“So many funny things that have happened so far,” Matthew said according to NHL.com.

“We talked about this moment, playing together, forever. And now that it’s finally happening, it’s just been amazing and we’re super grateful for it.

“We’re just having so much fun. Ever since we’ve come to Montreal, whether it’s the dinners or hanging out at the hotel or practice or goofing around in the locker room with the guys, it’s been awesome and we’re having a blast.”

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF SCHEDULE

At Bell Center, Montreal

• Wednesday: Canada 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
• Tonight: United States vs. Finland, 8 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+)
• Saturday: Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+); United States vs. Canada, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+)

At TD Garden, Boston

• Monday: Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. (TNT/truTV, Max); Sweden vs. United States, 8 p.m. (TNT/truTV, Max)
• Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship game, 8 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+)

ON DECK: GAME No. 58

SEATTLE KRAKEN at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
• Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Season Series (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Seattle: Panthers 2, Kraken 1 SO (Dec. 11). At Florida: Feb. 22.
• Last Season: Tied 1-1
• All-Time Regular Season Series: Seattle leads 4-3-0
• Up Next for the Panthers: Feb. 25 at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.