Matthew Tkachuk (; born December 11, 1997) is an American professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...
winger for the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...
(NHL). Tkachuk was selected sixth overall at the
2016 NHL Entry Draft
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft was the 54th NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held on June 24–25, 2016 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The first three selections were Auston Matthews going to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine go ...
by the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...
.
Playing career
Tkachuk played in the 2010
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament (french: Tournoi international de hockey pee-wee de Québec) is an annual minor ice hockey event in Quebec City. The tournament was founded in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival, ...
with the St. Louis Blues
minor ice hockey
Minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body contact, vary from cla ...
team, where he was teammates with
Logan Brown
Logan Mathers Brown (born March 5, 1998) is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 11th overall, by the Ottawa Senator ...
,
Clayton Keller
Clayton Keller (born July 29, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Coyotes selected him seventh overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Born i ...
and
Luke Kunin
Luke Kunin (born December 4, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey center for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played in the NHL for the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators. The Wild selected him i ...
.
Major junior
![Matthew Tkachuk - London Knights](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Matthew_Tkachuk_-_London_Knights.jpg)
On May 8, 2015, Tkachuk gave up his
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...
eligibility when he signed with the
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League. The Knights started out in 1965 as the London Nationals but changed to their cu ...
of the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overag ...
(OHL), who had drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection. Playing on a line with
Mitch Marner
Mitchell Marner (born May 5, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry ...
and
Christian Dvorak
Christian Dvorak (born February 2, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dvorak was drafted 58th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing ca ...
, Tkachuk scored 107 points, placing him fifth in OHL scoring. Tkachuk scored the game winning goal in overtime for the Knights in the
2016 Memorial Cup
The 2016 Memorial Cup (branded as the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup for sponsorship reasons) was a four-team, round-robin format tournament that took place at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, from May 20–29, 2016. It was the 98th Memorial Cup cham ...
final.
Leading up to the NHL draft, Tkachuk was the second-ranked North American skater, described as a ''bona fide'' future star for an NHL club that brings elite skills and attributes. After his selection by the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...
, sixth overall, Tkachuk was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 7, 2016.
NHL
Calgary Flames (2016–2022)
Tkachuk scored his first NHL goal in a 4–3 overtime win against the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
. On March 20, 2017, he was suspended two games for an elbow to the face of
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
defenseman
Drew Doughty
Drew Doughty (born December 8, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft fro ...
. During the next meeting between the two teams on March 29, Tkachuk further settled the hit by fighting Kings defenseman
Brayden McNabb
Brayden Luke McNabb (born January 21, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally selected 66th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Entry D ...
. Tkachuk finished seventh in voting for the
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving as ...
, an award awarded annually to the top rookie in the NHL.
During his sophomore year, on November 17, 2017, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tkachuk was suspended one game for his part in a
line brawl
Fighting is an established tradition in North American ice hockey, with a long history that involves many levels of amateur and professional play and includes some notable individual fights. Fights may be fought by enforcers, or "goons" ()— ...
that took place in a game against the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
on November 15. He was suspended again on December 7, for spearing
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
winger
Matt Martin. Tkachuk became the second youngest teenager in Flames history to reach 100 games, the first being
Dan Quinn in 1985, when he played against the
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...
on November 30. Tkachuk was injured in a game against the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...
on March 11, 2018, and missed the rest of the season. Despite the injury, he finished the season with a career-high 49 points.
Prior to the
2018–19 season, Tkachuk was named an alternate captain for the Flames, along with
Mikael Backlund
Mikael Backlund (born 17 March 1989) is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Backlund was a first round selection, 24th overall, of the Flames in the 2007 NH ...
and
Sean Monahan
Sean Monahan (born October 12, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Monahan was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames, at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and he played ...
. Tkachuk set a new career high for points during the season and recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 6–3 win over the
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2017 as an expan ...
. On March 15, 2019, Tkachuk recorded his 100th career assist and became the first player from his draft class to reach that milestone.
After being absent from the Flames' training camp due to an unsigned contract, Tkachuk signed a three-year, $21 million extension on September 25, 2019.
On April 19, 2022, Tkachuk recorded his 99th point (an assist) in a 3–2 shootout loss to the
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...
, surpassing his father's previous personal record (98 in 1995–96). Two days later, Tkachuk scored his 100th point (and 40 goals) in a 4–2 win against the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...
, becoming the second player, along with
Auston Matthews
Auston Taylour Matthews (born September 17, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in San Ramon, California, Matthews and his family moved ...
from the 2016 draft class to score 100 points in a single season. The
2021–22 season was one of the most successful regular seasons in Flames history, with Tkachuk at the center of its success. With centreman
Elias Lindholm
Elias Viktor Zebulon Lindholm (born 2 December 1994) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round (5 ...
and right winger
Johnny Gaudreau
John Michael Gaudreau (born August 13, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the NCAA Division I's Boston College Eagles from 2 ...
, he formed one of the most dominant forward lines in the NHL, and all three members hit numerous personal and collective milestones over the course of the season.
All three scored at least 40 goals in the course of the season, the first time in 28 years that linemates had all achieved this, and only the fourth time in that span that a team had three 40-goal scorers. Tkachuk finished the regular season with 42 goals and 62 assists, while the Flames won the
Pacific Division title. The Flames drew the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...
in the first round of the
2022 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on May 2, 2022, one day after the 2021–22 NHL regular season, and concluded on June 26, 2022, with the Colorado Avalanche winnin ...
, a rematch of the bubble playoffs two years prior, and a matchup in which the Flames were considered the favourites.
[ Tkachuk scored the lone goal of Game 1, giving his team the victory. The series proved a greater challenge than anticipated, largely due to Stars goaltender ]Jake Oettinger
Jakob Oettinger ( ; born December 18, 1998), nicknamed Otter, is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for Boston University during his collegiate ca ...
, but the Flames eventually won in seven games, with Tkachuk managing another goal in the series-clinching game. The Flames drew the Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...
in the second round, the first playoff "Battle of Alberta
The Battle of Alberta is a term applied to the intense rivalry between the Canadian cities of Calgary, the province's most populous city (since 1976), and Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta (since 1905). Most often it is used to ...
" in 31 years. The Flames were defeated by the Oilers in five games, bringing the playoff run to an end.
After the conclusion of the season, teammate Gaudreau opted to leave the Flames in free agency to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...
. Tkachuk's own future with the team had been subject to speculation for some time, with many believing he intended to leave the Flames when he reached unrestricted free agency. Days after news of Gaudreau's departure, the Flames announced that they had filed for club arbitration on Tkachuk's next contract, having heretofore failed to come to terms on an extension. This was widely interpreted as being a preliminary measure in a move to trade him to another team, and thereby avoid losing Tkachuk in free agency for no compensation. On July 20, ''The Athletic
''The Athletic'' is a subscription-based sports website that provides national and local coverage in 47 North American cities as well as the United Kingdom. ''The Athletic'' also covers national stories from top professional and college sports ...
'' reported that Tkachuk had told the Flames that he would not re-sign with the team for a long-term contract.
Florida Panthers (2022–present)
On July 22, 2022, two days after informing the Flames of his intention not to re-sign to a long-term deal, Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...
along with a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2025
Predicted and scheduled events
*January 1
** In the United States, books, films, and other works published in 1929 will enter the public domain, assuming there are no changes made to copyright law.
** The American FAA will have been imp ...
in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau
Jonathan Huberdeau (born June 4, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Huberdeau was selected third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 NH ...
, MacKenzie Weegar
MacKenzie Weegar (born January 7, 1994) is a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL). Weegar was drafted by the Florida Panthers with the 206th overall pick in the 2013 N ...
, Cole Schwindt
Cole Schwindt (born April 25, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward with the Calgary Wranglers in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 81st overal ...
, and a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2025. Tkachuk signed an eight-year, $76 million contract prior to being traded to the Panthers.
International play
Tkachuk helped the United States win gold at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge held in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland".
Most of the population are native Eng ...
. He also competed at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships
The 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship was the 17th IIHF World U18 Championship, and was hosted by Zug and Lucerne, Switzerland. The tournament began on 16 April 2015, with the gold medal game played on 26 April 2015.
Top Division
Officials
The ...
, where in seven games he registered ten assists (tops in the tournament), leading the U.S. under-18 team to a gold medal win.
At the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 40th Ice Hockey World Junior Championship. It was hosted in Helsinki, Finland. It began on December 26, 2015, and ended with the gold medal game on January 5, 2016. This marked the sixth time ...
, held in Helsinki
Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the Capital city, capital, primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Finland, most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of U ...
, Tkachuk and Auston Matthews
Auston Taylour Matthews (born September 17, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in San Ramon, California, Matthews and his family moved ...
each scored 11 points to lead the American team in scoring. After losing in the semi-finals, the U.S. defeated Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
to claim the bronze medal.
Personal life
His father, Keith Tkachuk
Keith Matthew Tkachuk (; born March 28, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) in a 18-year career with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers, ...
, played 1,201 games in the NHL and is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the history of ice hockey in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and ...
. Matthew Tkachuk's younger brother, Brady
Brady may refer to:
People
* Brady (surname)
* Brady (given name)
* Brady (nickname)
* Brady Boone, a ring name of American professional wrestler Dean Peters (1958–1998)
Places in the United States
* Brady, Montana, a census-designated plac ...
, plays with the Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...
and won bronze with the United States at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 42nd edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, and was hosted by the city of Buffalo, New York at the KeyBank Center and HarborCenter. It opened on December 26, 2017 and closed with ...
. Tkachuk was born in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale during his father's stint with the Coyotes, and grew up in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield
Chesterfield may refer to:
Places Canada
* Rural Municipality of Chesterfield No. 261, Saskatchewan
* Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut United Kingdom
* Chesterfield, Derbyshire, a market town in England
** Chesterfield (UK Parliament constitue ...
, when his father was dealt to the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...
in 2001. He attended Chaminade College Preparatory School from sixth to ninth until he decided to join the United States Hockey League. While at Chaminade, Tkachuk was in the same gym class and good friends with Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of t ...
forward Jayson Tatum
Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr. (; born March 3, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A McDonald's All-American in high school in Missouri, he played college baske ...
.
Tkachuk is a second cousin of former NHL player Tom Fitzgerald Tom Fitzgerald or Thomas Fitzgerald, Thomas FitzGerald may refer to:
* Tom Fitzgerald (economist) (1918–1993), Australian, delivered 1990 Boyer Lectures
* Tom Fitzgerald (handballer) (born 1966), American handball player
* Tom Fitzgerald (soccer ...
, who grew up with his father and a second cousin once-removed to his sons, Ryan
Ryan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
*Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Australia
* Division of Ryan, an elector ...
and Casey, who are both NHL prospects. He is also a cousin of NHL players Kevin
Kevin () is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; mga, Caoimhghín ; sga, Cóemgein ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ).
The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicized from , an ...
and the late Jimmy Hayes
James Allison Hayes (born December 21, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer. He is a Republican Party (United States), Republican from Louisiana.
Background
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette, Hayes graduated from the University of ...
. Tkachuk is a Ukrainian surname, although his father has said that his family background and name is either "Polish, Russian, rUkrainian, one of those." Tkachuk is a dual citizen of the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, as his mother Chantal is a native of Winnipeg
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...
.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
Awards and honors
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tkachuk, Matthew
1997 births
Living people
American expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
American men's ice hockey left wingers
American people of Canadian descent
American people of Ukrainian descent
Calgary Flames draft picks
Calgary Flames players
Chaminade College Preparatory School (Missouri) alumni
Florida Panthers players
Ice hockey players from Scottsdale, Arizona
Ice hockey players from St. Louis
London Knights players
Memorial Cup winners
National Hockey League first-round draft picks
USA Hockey National Team Development Program players