Can Matthew and Brady Tkachuk become hockey's answer to the Kelce brothers? ‘Maybe one day'
Advertisement
'We're rusty, we haven't done it in a few months,' Matthew says. 'So, (we) could only handle four today.'
The brothers soon find their gear. They are laid-back, yet still excited about the mini-junket's pretext: Matthew, a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, has landed on the standard cover of 'EA Sports NHL 26,' the newest release of the most famous hockey video game ever. Joining him in a family photo on the front of an early-access 'Deluxe Edition' are both Brady, the Ottawa Senators' captain, and their father, former NHLer Keith Tkachuk.
'I think our 10-year-old selves would be losing their minds seeing that we're on a cover of the NHL game that we loved playing growing up,' Brady says.
In a sport that sometimes shies away from promoting individual personalities, Matthew and Brady are quickly cementing themselves as two of hockey's preeminent showmen. The 'NHL 26' covers are only the latest examples.
In 2023, they play-fought in a car backseat — in full hockey gear, no less — for a Hyundai commercial. Last year, Matthew starred on the first season of Prime Video's 'Faceoff: Inside the NHL,' offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life with the Tkachuk family. This fall, Brady will join him for a second season of the show that, in part, covers Team USA's round-robin matchup against Canada at February's 4 Nations Face-Off, during which both Tkachuks now-famously dropped their gloves as three fights broke out in the first nine seconds.
Despite losing to Canada in the championship game, the brothers capitalized on the post-tournament buzz with several major media hits. Matthew joined 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,' and Brady appeared on podcasts like 'Spittin' Chiclets' and 'Pardon My Take.' The duo then served as co-guests on the wildly popular 'New Heights' podcast hosted by NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce, whose YouTube simulcasts have accumulated nearly 1 billion views.
Advertisement
As the Tkachuks establish a more mainstream presence, it's natural to draw comparisons to the media-savvy Kelce brothers. Matthew revealed that he and Brady have even been presented with 'opportunities where we could've had our own' podcast together, leading him to ask Travis and Jason about the production process.
'I've gotten a little bit of advice via the podcast route,' Matthew says. '(But) it's way too early to know if we're going to do it or not. … It's different for them now because one of them isn't playing anymore. Compared to Brady and I would do it with (us) both playing. So, there's a lot of stuff to juggle around there.
'But maybe one day.'
Of course, the Tkachuks won't win over everyone. Whether it's Brady slamming defensemen into the end boards for an on-the-rise Senators team, or Matthew mucking around the net front as the Panthers build a potential dynasty, both possess on-ice styles that rub opposing players and fan bases alike the wrong way. And their international notoriety will surely grow at next year's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with NHL players set to participate for the first time since 2014.
Not all of their off-ice opportunities will earn universal acclaim, either: Recently Matthew was named to President Donald Trump's 'Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition' alongside NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, among others. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley declined an invitation despite being initially listed in a White House release, while Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has also expressed confusion at his inclusion. Matthew, for his part, says it's 'a little too early' to confirm his participation on the council, declining further comment to The Athletic.
Regardless, the Tkachuks' willingness to put themselves out there and desire to reach wider audiences are noteworthy for hockey players — particularly in the U.S., where the NFL and NBA rule.
Advertisement
'I'm not going to tell a player that's not comfortable doing (more media),' Matthew said. 'If they just treat it as a job, like a clock-in and clock-out and just want to worry about that, hey, all to you. If that helps you play. Some guys are like that. Every team has guys like that.
'I think that if more guys could do (more), I think the better.'
The Tkachuks also see their recent surge in appearances as an opportunity to grow the game and be 'good role models' for 'the next generation of kids,' Brady says.
'I think any exposure you get that can grow the game is very important to us,' Matthew adds. 'We want to be guys that leave the game in a way better place than it was when we started. Just the way the world's kind of trending, the opportunities for players are pretty seamless and easy for Brady and I. Whereas maybe other guys, they're not as comfortable as we are in it.
'We enjoy it. We think it's important to do. Hockey is not a job to us. It's never felt like a job for us. It's fun, it's life, it's what we've grown up in.'
A legacy on full display.Matthew, Brady, and Keith Tkachuk grace the #NHL26 Deluxe Edition cover.Pre-order to get 7-day early access. https://t.co/Vh9fVAH87P pic.twitter.com/3ruyNhw2dZ
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 6, 2025
No matter where the Tkachuks go from here, on the ice and off, their paths are forever linked. It has been that way since they were kids and had way more free time to play the 'EA Sports NHL' video games. They used to spend hours competing on Xbox at home in the St. Louis area, with Brady often getting the better of his older brother. 'We loved playing when we turned penalties off,' Matthew says. 'It was so fun.'
Now, when young gamers look at the newest version, they will see an image of Matthew hoisting his second straight Stanley Cup with the Panthers in June — or, in the case of the early-access edition, one of him flanked by Brady and Keith.
Advertisement
'For me, it kind of just captures everything that I wanted in my NHL career, in two covers,' Matthew says. 'I have the standard cover where it shows my dream coming true with the Stanley Cup, and the picture is just, everything about it, is so special to me. I still pinch myself. I can't believe it.
'But then I look at the deluxe cover, and that might be more important to me, being in the middle of my brother and my dad.'
(Top photo of Matthew and Brady Tkachuk: AP Photo / Charles Krupa)
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today's puzzle
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Owners of the best record in MLB, the Milwaukee Brewers look like the definitive best team in baseball
For weeks, the Milwaukee Brewers' success was difficult to describe. They weren't flashy, and there weren't a lot of frills, but they just found ways to win. After a slow start to a season with low expectations from the outside, they had something to prove. And now, with the team having put together not only the best stretch in baseball this season but also the best stretch in franchise history, there's only one way to describe the 2025 Brewers. The best team in baseball. Over the past two months, there has been seemingly nothing the Brewers can't do. Comeback victories? Done. Blowout wins? Got it. Offensive breakouts? Yep. Elite starting pitching? Of course. And the contributors can be found up and down Milwaukee's 26-man roster — a roster that has seen plenty of additions throughout the course of the season. Entering play Wednesday, the Brewers have the best record in the sport by five games, and they were the first team in MLB to clear the 70-win threshold. Calling their recent two-month stretch incredible almost doesn't do it justice. Since June 1, the Brewers are 44-16; that's a .733 winning percentage. For perspective, the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who won an MLB-record 116 games, won at a .716 clip. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Two months is a ridiculous amount of time for the Brewers to sustain play at this level, and while many have been expecting them to cool off, they simply haven't. With Tuesday's 14-0 demolition of the Pirates, Milwaukee has won 11 straight, marking its second 10-plus-game winning streak since the start of July. The Brew Crew are just the 10th team in the divisional era to have multiple 10-plus-game winning streaks in a season. And so the question when it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers' dominance becomes: How are they doing this? And can they keep it up? [Get more Milwaukee news: Brewers team feed] Well, they've made a habit of doing just about everything well. Offensively, the Brewers are second in batting average, second in on-base percentage and fifth in slugging percentage since June began. On the mound, they rank second in starter ERA and third in bullpen ERA. And defensively, they've been solid all season, ranking third in outs above average and sixth in defensive runs saved. 'We like putting pressure on and getting guys on base and moving runners, so that's always going to be our bread and butter,' right fielder Sal Frelick said recently. 'But at the same time, it's awesome when you see guys going and taking shots and hit balls over the fence.' The old adage goes, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,' and that's a mentality that many recent Brewers teams have embodied. This season is no different, but make no mistake, this squad is also getting strong individual performances from some unlikely contributors. First baseman Andrew Vaughn, the third pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, no longer had a spot in Chicago after a disappointing tenure with the White Sox. But a trade that sent him 90 minutes north has brought the Cal product new life. Since joining the Brewers, Vaughn has been one of baseball's best hitters, slashing .347/.413/.642 with eight homers in 30 games. His 1.055 OPS since July 7 ranks sixth in MLB (min. 100 PAs). 'He's been huge for us,' Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich said. 'Just stepping up, and it's kind of a theme throughout our team. You get an opportunity, you're put in a position, just do what you can to contribute and help the boys out. So it's been great to see from him. He fits our group really well, just who he is as a person and competitor and player.' On the mound, right-hander Quinn Preister, once a top prospect in baseball, was also looking for a new home after beginning the season with the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate. With the Brewers needing to stabilize their injured rotation early this year, Milwaukee took a chance on the 18th overall pick from the 2019 draft, trading for Priester in April. Since then, Priester has more than filled a void for Milwaukee. Even with other starters getting healthy, he has earned himself a regular spot in the rotation. The Brewers' right-hander is 11-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 2025 and has been even better as a starter, with a very respectable 3.03 ERA. Beyond the new faces in Milwaukee, even known commodities such as Yelich have been able to turn back the clock. Although no longer the superstar talent he once was, Yelich has stayed healthy and been productive this year while providing the veteran presence on a young roster. The 2018 NL MVP has 23 homers on the season so far, his most since 2019. But, as manager Pat Murphy pointed out, 'It's not just all slug. He does all the other things … Defends when you put him out there. Run the bases. Take the extra base. And offensively, bunts, does whatever he has to do to help us win. Runs a hard 90. Cuts the bases as good as anybody. He's a good player, and when one aspect is not going good, he can do it another way.' It's worth noting that Milwaukee's impressive couple of months have coincided with their division rival Chicago Cubs enduring their worst stretch of the season. While the Brewers have looked almost unbeatable since the beginning of June, the Cubs have gone a mediocre 31-29. As a result, over the past eight weeks, Milwaukee has moved from third in the NL Central and trailing Chicago by 5.5 games to leading the division by 7.5 games over the Cubs. The Brewers will play a five-game set against Chicago next week at Wrigley Field in what is shaping up to be a critical final battle between the two teams. It could be the Cubs' last real chance to get back in the divisional race. Or, given the way the teams have been playing lately, the Brewers could extinguish any remaining hope the Cubs have of winning the NL Central. 'Seems like it's the best rivalry in baseball right now — between that and the Dodgers and Padres,' Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill said of the Cubs and Brewers. 'Every time we play, either [in Milwaukee] or over at Wrigley, it's not a seat in the house that's empty, and everybody is energized.' Beyond the impact on the NL Central, the Brewers' incredible summer run has changed the complexion of the entire National League. If the season ended today, Milwaukee would be the NL's No. 1 seed, with a ticket punched for the NLDS and home-field advantage through the NL playoffs. 'The Brewers are a very good organization,' Cubs manager (and former Brewers skipper) Craig Counsell said recently. 'They're very well run. They have exceptional leadership. That's a part of that. And so, yeah, it makes this fun, right? And it makes this interesting. And it makes this good competition, man. This is the highest level of competition. That's what's great about it.' On the surface, the Brewers' success might look unsustainable, but they seem to have found a recipe that's allowing them to maintain their level of play for months at a time. They're confident and composed, playing like a team that has been here before. Still, it should be pointed out that they're one of the youngest squads in baseball, and while many of the players on this year's roster played in the 2024 wild-card round against the Mets, most of the team's new faces and rookies, such as Isaac Collins and Jacob Misiorowski, are getting a crash course on the big leagues in the midst of a pennant race — and thriving. At this point in the season, with baseball's contenders separating themselves and the playoff picture emerging, nothing seems to be slowing the Brew Crew down, and what they're building looks strong enough to wreak havoc in October. Could this be the team that finally wins the franchise's first World Series? 'There's still two months of baseball left — we know that,' Yelich said earlier this month. 'Let's go out there and play our game, try to put pressure on [the other team], and you never know what can happen. Just play hard and make it messy out there and kind of play our style of baseball and see what happens.'
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who is new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon?
The new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers is already familiar with the colors black and red. Tom Dundon, the owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, reached an agreement Wednesday, Aug. 13 to purchase the Trail Blazers from the estate of Paul Allen. The sale price was not available as of early Wednesday afternoon. CNBC, which provides valuations of NBA franchises, listed the franchise at $3.65 billion in its most recent list. Since Allen's death in 2018, his sister, Jody Allen, became the executor and trustee of the estate and therefore the chairperson of the Trail Blazers and NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Paul Allen's estate had dictated that the majority of his wealth be donated to philanthropy. In May 2025, the estate formally put the Blazers up for sale. Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft alongside Bill Gates, had owned the Trail Blazers since 1988. Here's everything you need to know about new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon. Who is Tom Dundon? Dundon, 53, is a billionaire businessman who is the co-founder and chairman of Dallas-based private investment firm Dundon Capital Partners. He's also the co-founder and chairman of Southpaw Capital Partners. Born in New York and raised in Dallas, Dundon graduated from Southern Methodist in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in economics. His investments have spanned sports and entertainment, to real estate, healthcare, hospitality, tech and automotive and financial services. His first big break in the business landscape came in 1997, when he and a collection of partners formed a car financing corporation that became Santander Consumer USA. Dundon eventually rose to become the company's chairman and CEO. In 2015, Dundon stepped aside from that role and formed Dundon Capital Partners. He's also the majority owner of a Dallas-based real estate company called Pacific Elm Properties and is an investor in Topgolf Callaway Brands and Pickleball Inc. Dundon is also active in several Dallas-area charities and launched the Dundon Family Charitable Fund, which focuses on academic and athletic initiatives at several universities. When did Tom Dundon buy the Carolina Hurricanes? In 2017, Dundon's name surfaced in sales discussions to purchase the Hurricanes from previous longtime owner Peter Karmanos Jr. In January 2018, Dundon completed the sale and became the majority owner of the team. At the time, per Forbes, Dundon purchased 61% of the franchise's shares for $420 million. That included operating rights to the Lenovo Center (previously PNC Arena), the arena in Raleigh, North Carolina where the Hurricanes play. Then, in June 2021, Dundon purchased the remaining shares to become the sole owner and proprietor of the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes ended a nine-season playoff drought in his first full season of ownership and have made the postseason in all seven seasons. They have reached the Eastern Conference finals three times, including last season. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Portland Trail Blazers get new owner: Who is Tom Dundon?
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hoyas Dominate Japan, 88-53, in GLOBL JAM Behind Harris-Smith's Near Triple-Double
Team USA, proudly represented by your Georgetown Hoyas, made a powerful statement in their opening game of the GLOBL JAM tournament, dismantling the Japanese national team in a commanding 88-53 victory on Wednesday afternoon. From the opening tip at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, Coach Ed Cooley's squad revealed a potent blend of physical dominance, defensive intensity, and selfless ball movement that left their opponents struggling to keep pace. While the game was not televised, there were glimpses from the box score, play-by-play, and some live video via Caleb Williams' father. The tone for the game was set early and decisively. The Hoyas exploded out of the gate, establishing a formidable 52-25 lead by halftime. This wasn't a game that was ever in doubt; it was a 40-minute clinic on how to control a basketball game on both ends of the floor. The second half started with a 12-0 run from Georgetown and finished with a comfortable fourth quarter where the bench saw playing time. The final score of 88-53 reflected a performance that should put the rest of the tournament field on notice. The Darris Harris-Smith Show While the victory was a complete team effort, the day belonged to sophomore guard Darris Harris-Smith. In a performance that showcased his all-around brilliance and immense value to this Hoyas roster, Harris-Smith flirted with a triple-double, finishing with a masterful stat line of 19 points (8-11 FG), 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals in just under 32 minutes of play. Harris-Smith was the engine that drove the Hoyas' attack. He was remarkably efficient, shooting an impressive 8 for 11 from the field. Whether he was driving to the basket for a score, finding open teammates, or crashing the defensive glass, he consistently looked to be the most active player on the court. A Story Told by the Numbers A look at the final team statistics reveals the anatomy of this dominant performance. The most glaring disparity came from inside the arc, where Georgetown's size and athleticism were simply overwhelming. Dominance in the Paint: The Hoyas outscored Japan 52-14 in the paint. This staggering 38-point advantage was the central theme of the game. They consistently attacked the rim, leading to high-percentage shots. Shooting Efficiency: This interior dominance resulted in a highly efficient offensive outing. The Hoyas shot 55% from the field (36/65) and an even better 65% on two-point attempts (30/46). In stark contrast, Japan struggled against Georgetown's length and defensive pressure, shooting just 30% from the field (19/63) and 23% from beyond the arc (9/38). Defensive Tenacity Creates Offense: Georgetown's defense was suffocating. They forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 28 points. They also controlled the transition game, outscoring Japan 21-5 in fast-break points. This ability to turn defensive stops into quick, easy baskets prevented Japan from ever settling into an offensive rhythm. Controlling the Glass: The Hoyas won the rebounding battle 42-31, limiting Japan's second-chance opportunities and securing possessions to fuel their own attack. The ball movement was another bright spot. The team registered 24 assists on 36 made field goals, a testament to the unselfish, team-first brand of basketball that Cooley is instilling. A Balanced and Potent Attack Beyond Harris-Smith's heroics, this was a truly balanced victory with key contributions from across the roster. Five Hoyas scored in double figures, showcasing the depth of their offensive talent. Malik Mack (game captain) was the steady hand at point guard, orchestrating the offense with poise. He finished with 11 points and 5 assists while impressively committing only one turnover. The frontcourt asserted its will all afternoon. Center/forward Julius Halaifonua was exceptionally efficient, scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Forward Isaiah Abraham added 10 points and 2 blocks, providing a strong interior presence. The fifth starter, Caleb Williams, had 8 points on 3-7 FG (2-5 3PT), but was +40 in the +/- column. Off the bench, Jayden Fort was a significant spark plug, pouring in 10 points in 23 minutes of action. Prized transfer center Vince Iwuchukwu (7 points, 3-13 FG) made his presence felt on the defensive end, grabbing 6 rebounds and leading the team with 2 blocks. A Strong First Impression This victory serves as a fantastic start to the Hoyas' international competition in Canada. While it is just one game, the cohesion, defensive identity, and offensive execution on display were all incredibly positive signs. From what fans saw, the team played with a purpose and an edge that bodes well not only for the remainder of the GLOBL JAM but for the upcoming NCAA season. This was more than just a win; it was a statement of intent. The Hoyas demonstrated that they are a physical, long, and talented group ready to embrace the system and culture being built by Cooley. They will look to carry this momentum forward as the tournament continues with a 6PM game (ESPN+) against Canada on Thursday.
