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Team USA ice hockey star Brady Tkachuk offered a refreshing take on what it meant to him to be able to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Ottawa Senators star’s stance was very different from the reactions other U.S. Olympic athletes have given and received backlash for.
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Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States competes during practice on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“To be able to represent the United States at this stage in the Olympics 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 representing the red, white and blue.”
Tkachuk was a standout performer when Team USA took the ice in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. The Americans ignited a rivalry with Canada that had long been dormant except for competitive play on the ice. Political tensions between the two countries led to an all-out brawl between players during the tournament last year.
ISRAEL BOBSLED CAPTAIN OPENS UP ON TEAM OVERCOMING BURGLARS AND HISTORY TO MAKE HISTORY AT WINTER OLYMPICS
Members of the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, including Brady Tkachuk, third from right, Auston Matthews, second from right, and USA’s Jack Hughes, 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 Olympics were expected to bring the same intensity to Italy, although the gloves may well stay on.
Tkachuk is one of the handful of NHL stars on Team USA. This is the first time professional hockey players will be allowed to wear the Stars and Stripes since the 2014 Sochi Games.
The American roster includes goalies 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 Connors and Clayach Brock Keller’s defense, Jack Z Hugheellers and the defense, Jack Z. Faber, Noah Hanifin, Charlie McAvoy, Quinn Hughes, Jacob Slavin and Jake Sanderson.
Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk (7) tries to get past 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 USA begins group play against Latvia on Thursday.
