Team USA announced its Olympic roster featuring two sets of brothers who’ll chase the country’s first men’s hockey gold medal since 1980. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk join Jack and Quinn Hughes on the squad heading to Milan.
The Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said this represents a childhood dream coming true. His brother Brady plays for the Ottawa Senators.
“This was a dream of ours at a young age. To be able to both live out our dream together, it’s kind of like a whole family accomplishment really.”
The Hughes brothers bring their own NHL pedigree to the team. Quinn captains the Vancouver Canucks while Jack stars for the New Jersey Devils.
Both sets of brothers are rooming together in the Olympic village. Matthew Tkachuk described their first night there.
“We were throwing the phones at each other all night showing each other the cool videos and pictures and stuff that happened during the day. It’s really cool we get to share the experience with each other.”
Charlie McAvoy, the Boston Bruins defenseman, admitted he’s envious of his teammates’ situation.
“I can’t imagine anything cooler in the world.”
McAvoy doesn’t have brothers – only sisters in his family.
Family Hockey Legacy
Both families have deep hockey roots. Keith Tkachuk represented the United States in four Olympics and ranks second among American players in NHL goals. Jim Hughes worked as a longtime executive for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
All four brothers were first-round NHL draft picks. Each went in the top seven selections overall.
The Tkachuk brothers played together at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. The Hughes brothers would have participated together, but Quinn suffered an injury before the event.
Jack Hughes dealt with multiple injuries this season that threatened both brothers’ Olympic chances.
“The one with the hand was a freak one and he just wanted to be healthy and wanted to be at his best. 4 Nations is one thing, but the Olympics is the Olympics.”
Olympic Brothers History
Brothers have contributed to significant USA Hockey Olympic moments before. Joe and Larry McCormick played together when the U.S. won silver in 1920.
The 1960 gold medal team at Squaw Valley featured two brother pairs: Roger and Bill Christian, plus Bill and Bob Cleary.
More recent Olympic teams included Mark and Scott Fusco in 1984 and Derian and Kevin Hatcher in 1998.
Head coach Mike Sullivan believes the brother connection provides a tangible advantage.
“The brothers is next level familiarity. Any time you can add that element to your team, it can only help.”
Matthew Tkachuk said his father would trade all four of his Olympic appearances for one gold medal from this tournament.
“He’d give all four of them up if it meant we can come home from this one with a gold medal.”
The U.S. men’s team hasn’t won Olympic gold since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. This year’s squad features the rare dynamic of two brother pairs chasing that elusive medal together.
Source: AP Winter Olympics
