Florida Panthers Star Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t care if you like him
Florida Panthers Star Matthew Tkachuk He knows hockey culture is steeped in tradition, but he’s not particularly concerned about ruffling some feathers.
Tkachuk, 27, a Stanley Cup winner last season, has enjoyed pushing the boundaries on the ice with ICE with his style of play and off the ice.
As the American-born player explains, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I have the ability to be able to reach different pockets of people in the US with hockey and my personality, playing in South Florida, from St. Louis,” said St. Louis only US of the Week Before the 4-nation NHL opening face-off, which starts on February 12. “I’m very lucky in that sense. I just think, why not? Why did you waste all this time to have the time of my life and not act like me? Why can’t I show my personality?”
Billie Weiss / Boston Red Sox / Gentty Pictures; Bruce Bennett / Getty Images High School Jaydies and Matthew Tkachuk both added their first talent to their technical resumes during the week. Boston Celtics star Tatum, 26, won his first NBA title when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals […]
He added, “It’s the way I approach it. I think some people like it, some people don’t like it. But I’ll never change who I am.”
Tkachuk, the son of an 18-year-old NHL player Keith Tkachukhe said that this generation of players feel more free to step outside the box than ever before.
“I think the boys’ mindset has changed a bit,” Matthew explained. “They’re able to express themselves more than they were 10, 15, 20 years ago. And I think that’s good. I think it’s good for the personality. I think it’s good for the fans to relate to more players, to be able to see more of them. I think that’s very important for the growth of the game.”
Matthew will help expand Hockey’s reach again when he represents the United States in the 4 nations that have faced each other, bringing out the best US players from the US, Canada, Sweden and Finland in the best tournament ever. Joining Matthew on Team USA will be his younger brother, the Ottawa Senators Star Brady Tkachuk.
Along with the competition, Matthew is looking forward to showing the beauty of the appeal of the sport.
“One thing I really like about hockey is you have a lot of different guys in a lot of different houses around the world,” Matthew said. “HOCKEY is the one thing that brings them all together. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Russia or Finland or Sweden, in the strangest of all, you’re very good in the way you’re brought to this game. It’s very good.”
He added, “I love getting to know teammates from different backgrounds and different parts of the world. Some of my best friends in hockey come from places that are very different from where I come from.”
Along the way, Matthew will be taking on a new role as an off-ice ambassador for Perry Ellis.
“I just like their stuff,” Matthew was anointed. “I’m really excited to wear it not only in the 4 Nations, but to wear it on a normal day for me. I think it looks great and for them to be with us at USA Hockey, I think everyone is going to really like it.”
The 4 shutout nations will drop the puck on February 12, with games taking place in Montreal and Boston in a friendly on February 20
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