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Team USA men’s ice hockey star Brady Tkachuk offered a refreshing look at what it meant to him to be able to represent his country in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Ottawa Senators star’s opinion was very different from the responses that other American Olympic athletes have given and that have generated negative reactions.
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Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team USA participates during training on the second day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“Being able to represent the United States at this stage of the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had,” he told reporters during a training session, via KDSK-TV. “Really grateful to be here and represent the red and white and blue.”
Tkachuk stood out when Team USA took the ice in the 4 Nations matchup last year. The Americans ignited a rivalry with Canada that had long been simmering outside of competitive play on the ice. Political tensions between the two countries last year led to an all-out brawl between players during the tournament.
BOBSLED ISRAELI CAPTAIN OPENS UP TO THE TEAM THAT OVERCOMED THEFT AND VANDALISM TO MAKE HISTORY AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS
Members of the United States men’s ice hockey team, including Brady Tkachuk, third from right, Auston Matthews, second from right, and Jack Hughes of the United States, right, gather around the net during men’s ice hockey practice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Olympic showdowns were expected to bring the same intensity in Italy, although the gloves may well stay on.
Tkachuk is one of the few NHL stars on Team USA. It’s the first time professional hockey players have been allowed to wear the Stars and Stripes since the 2014 Sochi Games.
The American roster includes goaltenders Jeremy Swayman, Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck, forwards Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, JT Miller, Matt Boldy, Vincent Trocheck, Matthew Tkachuk, Dylan Larkin, Brock Nelson, Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel, Tage Thompson, Kyle Connor, Jack Hughes and Clayton Keller and defensemen Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Charlie McAvoy. Quinn Hughes, Jacob Slavin and Jake Sanderson.
Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk (7) tries to overtake Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Sanheim during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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The United States begins pool play against Latvia on Thursday.
