Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are preparing for the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Team USA will begin its tournament on Feb.12, a day after the commencement of the men’s tournament. Right now, the teams are practicing, checking their lineup fits, and building chemistry.
Speaking to the media after practice ahead of opening day, the brothers focused on pride, gratitude, and the weight of the Olympic stage. Their comments came days after freestyle skier Chris Lillis sparked debate with remarks about mixed emotions tied to national representation.
Brady Tkachuk spoke directly about the honor of wearing the jersey.
“I mean, this is – being able to represent the, the US at this stage in the Olympics is one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had,” Brady said. “So, I’m truly grateful to, to be here – representing the red, white, and blue.”
Matthew Tkachuk also shared his emotion, describing the experience as overwhelming in the best way.
“I think it kind of means the world,” Matthew said. “It’s really like a whirlwind of emotions, flying here this morning, hanging out in the village all day, and then, you know, getting fitted for our, our clothes and, you know, just meeting athletes and then coming here and practicing,
“And now it’s so like, ‘Oh, my gosh,’ like, day one’s over. Like, it’s kind of crazy. So, um, really enjoying the experience so far and having a lot of fun. “
The Olympic men’s hockey tournament opens Wednesday, with NHL players returning for the first time since 2014. All 12 teams will play three preliminary games before advancing to a single-elimination playoff ending Feb. 22, with the gold medal game. The United States men’s national ice hockey team will compete in Group C and will later face Denmark and Germany.
Tkachuk Brothers’ Proud Message in Contract to Lillis’s Take
The Tkachuk brothers’ comments stood in contrast to recent remarks from Lillis, who spoke about complex feelings tied to current events in the United States. Lillis stressed that he still loves his country but hoped athletes reflect the values of respect and care.
“I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States,’ Lillis said to the media. “I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that. I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect.”
Without addressing politics directly, the Tkachuk brothers delivered a clear message. For them, the Olympics are about pride, opportunity, and team responsibility. As puck drop nears, their focus remains fixed on hockey, unity, and chasing gold for Team USA.
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