Panthers' Tkachuk leads Team USA hockey in Milan

Alternate captain embraces leadership role, prioritizes winning and team unity.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Florida Panthers alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk has taken on a leadership role for the U.S. Olympic hockey team in Milan, focusing on repairing rivalries, embodying the grit that fuels the American bid, and prioritizing team unity and winning.

Why it matters

Tkachuk's leadership and team-first mentality are crucial as the U.S. seeks to medal in the highly competitive Olympic hockey tournament, where national pride and rivalries can run high.

The details

As an alternate captain for the Panthers in the NHL, Tkachuk has experience leading a team and bringing players together. He is applying those skills to the U.S. Olympic squad, working to repair any lingering rivalries between players and foster a united, gritty team identity focused on winning.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

An alternate captain for the Florida Panthers who has taken on a leadership role for the U.S. Olympic hockey team in Milan.

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What they’re saying

“We have to put aside any personal agendas or rivalries and come together as one team with one goal - winning the gold medal for our country.”

— Matthew Tkachuk (The Miami Herald)

What’s next

The U.S. hockey team will continue training and preparing for the start of the Olympic tournament in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Tkachuk's leadership and team-first mentality will be crucial in helping the U.S. hockey team overcome individual rivalries and come together to compete for an Olympic gold medal.