Matthew Tkachuk has a chance to do something his father, Keith, never was able to — win a Stanley Cup.
The Panthers are in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, and a major key to their success has been Matthew's play. In his first season as a Panther, the 25-year-old star winger has established himself as a premier playoff performer, playing hero multiple times for the Panthers throughout the playoffs.
You can argue that no one has enjoyed watching Florida's run as much as Keith. The former NHL forward who played for 18 years has been in attendance for multiple playoff games, as well as Matthew's younger brother Brady, the captain of the Senators.
Matthew Tkachuk with ANOTHER goal this series and Papa Tkachuk is LOVING IT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BjmtkYaqYH
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 25, 2023
Here's some reactions to Matthew Tkachuk's series winner. Tkachuk, Panthers front office, Keith Tkachuk, Brooks Koepka, Tkachuk again, Bobrovsky emotional on ice, Bobrovsky & Maurice in hallway, Gustav Forsling in locker room. pic.twitter.com/XkMcRZJpx2
— Kevin Michie (@KevinMichie) May 25, 2023
Brady Tkachuk with some post-game festivities 🎉
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 23, 2023
(Via @BeatinTheBookie)pic.twitter.com/KJsMhAUxTb
Brady Tkachuk in the house showing some support for his brother 💪 pic.twitter.com/LfofI74QPq
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 23, 2023
The Tkachuk brothers are arguably the most dominant sibling duo currently in the league. The two Americans play a similar, hard-nosed style as that of their father.
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The Sporting News takes a look inside the Tkachuk family.
Tkachuk family tree
Keith Tkachuk
The Tkachuk's connection to the NHL starts with Keith. The patriarch spent 18 seasons in the NHL with the Jets/Coyotes, Blues, and Thrashers.
He was drafted by the Jets with the No. 19 pick in the 1990 draft, eventually becoming captain of the team in '93. When the team moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix, renaming the franchise as the Coyotes, Tkachuk remained as captain of the club. Keith led the NHL in goals during the '96-97 season, becoming the first American-born player to achieve that feat.
The power forward was traded to the Blues in 2000 where he spent five seasons with the club. He was traded in '07 to the Thrashers, but he returned that summer to St. Louis for the final three years of his career.
"Walt," as he became to be known, is one of just five American-born players to score 500 goals and was the sixth American to record 1,000 points. He ended his career as a five-time All-Star.
Matthew Tkachuk
You won't find many players that have both an incredible amount of skill and uncanny ability to piss off opponents quite like Matthew has.
Calgary selected the forward with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft, recording 48 points as a rookie during the '16-17 season. He also racked up over 100 penalty minutes — just like his old man did.
Matthew finished his Flames career with 152 goals and 230 assists with the Flames, totaling 382 points in 431 games played. He elected to sign an extension with Calgary and was traded to Florida this offseason. He signed a massive eight-year, $76 million contract with the team.
In his first season with the Panthers, Matthew has been well worth it, finishing with over 100 points and named one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy. He has established himself as a standout playoff performer, helping lead the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final.
Brady Tkachuk
If players thought Matthew was a pain to play against, let me introduce you to Brady.
The No. 4 pick from the Senators in the 2018 draft plays the same style as his father and brother, possessing a ton of skill but never afraid to mix it up.
He's only been in the league for five seasons, but Brady already has a reputation as an instigator. He's recorded over 100 penalty minutes in two seasons, but he also has 243 career points in 327 games.
Brady is a large part of the young core in Ottawa. Two years ago, he signed a seven-year, $57.5-million contract with the Senators and three weeks later, he was named captain of the Senators.
How many Tkachuk brothers are there?
In terms of brothers, there are just the two, Matthew and Brady. Matthew, 24, is two years older than Brady.
They do have a sister, Taryn, who is quite the athlete herself. She is currently at the University of Virginia where she plays on the field hockey team. In high school, she was a star at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, leading all high school players in the state of Missouri in total points and goals all four years she played. She also led the state twice in assists.
In total, she finished her high school with 135 goals and 361 points.
Are the Tkachuk brothers Canadian?
None of the Tkachuk family is Canadian. Keith was born in the Boston area, attending Malden Catholic High School and spending one season at Boston University.
Both Brady and Matthew were born in Scottsdale, Ariz., when Keith was playing for the Coyotes. The two spent the majority of their childhood in the St. Louis area, playing for the St. Louis AAA Blues youth hockey program.