Brady Tkachuk calls representing Team USA ‘one of the greatest honors’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Team USA men’s ice hockey star Brady Tkachuk offered a refreshing perspective on what it means to him to be able to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Ottawa Senators star’s approach was very different from the reactions other American Olympians have given and received.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States participates in practice on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“Being able to represent the United States at this stage of the Olympics is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had,” he told reporters during practice. via KDSK TV. “I’m really grateful to be here and represent the red, white and blue.”
Tkachuk was a standout player when Team USA took the ice at the 4-Nation Meet last year. The Americans ignited a rivalry with Canada that had long been dormant outside of competitive play on the ice. Last year, political tensions between the two countries led to all-out fights between players during the tournament.
ISRAELI BOBSLED CAPTAIN MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE TEAM WHO CAME UNDER 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, from 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 events were expected to generate the same intensity in Italy, but the gloves may well remain.
Tkachuk is one of a handful of NHL stars on Team USA. It’s the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games that professional hockey players are allowed to wear the Stars and Stripes.
The USA 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 Connor, Jack Hughes and Clayton Keller, and defensemen Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Noah. Hanifin, Charlie McAvoy, Quinn Hughes, Jacob Slavin and Jake Sanderson.
Brady Tkachuk (7) of the Ottawa Senators tries to pass Travis Sanheim of the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Philadelphia on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The USA will begin group play against Latvia on Thursday.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
