‘This is what you dream about’: USA’s Matthew Tkachuk talks about excitement of 4 Nations Face-Off
Like many others at the 4 Nations Face-Off, this is the first real opportunity for Matthew Tkachuk to represent his country in best-on-best competition.
And while it’s not the Olympics, the Florida Panthers star seems amped up and ready to go.
“I haven’t really thought about anything other than this, but I’m just, I’m so excited to be here,” Tkachuk told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
Tkachuk is no stranger to donning the American colors. The 27-year-old is one of the top alumni to ever come out of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, having won gold at both the 2013 U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the 2015 U-18 World Championship. But he hasn’t played for his country since taking homing bronze at the 2016 World Juniors – nearly a full decade ago.
So, getting to do so again at the 4 Nations Face-Off alongside one of the strongest American lineups ever assembled is something he’s excited about.
“The intensity just continues to elevate the closer we get to that first game,” Tkachuk said. “I’m super excited to be here. You want to play in these games. This is what you dream about. These best-on-best, must-win games. So the intensity will ramp up very, very fast. And I’m sure it’ll peak right around puck drop for us.”
This will also be the first time Matthew has played alongside his brother, Brady, in an international tournament. Brady came along through the NTDP a few years apart, but he also won gold at the U-18s and bronze at the World Juniors. He also represented the United States at the 2024 World Championship, putting up an impressive seven goals and 13 points in just eight games.
It looks like the brothers will not play together to start the tournament against Finland on Thursday, with Matthew playing on the top line alongside Jack Eichel and Connor Eichel. Brady, meanwhile, will skate alongside J.T. Miller and Matthew Boldy.
Still, it’s an opportunity Matthew is looking forward to, especially with the Olympics in Italy coming up next year. Tkachuk won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and went to the final the year prior. So he knows a thing or two about playing in big moments – the 4 Nations Face-Off is next on the list.
Tkachuk is on pace for 33 goals and 88 points in 77 games with the Panthers this year, his third season with the club. More importantly, though, the Panthers are hoping he can continue to be extremely dangerous when it matters most – he has 46 points in 44 playoff games over the past two years. If he can channel some of that must-win magic over the next week in Montreal and Boston, the United States should be in good shape.
“It brings me right back to the Stanley Cup finals, the same mindset, like the same stuff leading into it,” Tkachuk said. “These games to me and my team, like this is as big as it gets for us. We’re talking four Game 7s. So we’re really excited for this.