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Team USA didn't win the 4 Nations Face-Off, but they did give hockey fans one of the most unforgettable moments in international play. When Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, alongside JT Miller, dropped the gloves just seconds into their game against Canada, the hockey world went wild. The fight lasted just nine seconds on the clock, but its impact is still being talked about.
The Tkachuk brothers have since become the center of attention, appearing on national TV and making waves outside of the hockey community. This week, they ed Jason and Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast to break down the full story behind their now-famous game-opening fight. And as it turns out, even their closest family had no idea what was coming.
A plan so secret, even mom didn't see it coming
"Nobody knew, and honestly, it didn't even cross our minds that we didn't tell anybody in our family," Brady itted during the podcast, as reported by The New York Post. "We were debriefing after the game with the fam, and of course, everybody was so excited."
Their dad, Keith Tkachuk, a former NHL enforcer himself, was the only one who picked up on what was happening-just moments before the gloves hit the ice. "I guess my dad saw right off the draw, Matthew going back with his one glove off, and he tapped my mom and said, 'You don't really know what's coming, but it's happening,'" Brady shared. "She's like, 'What are you talking about?' Then the whistle blew, the gloves came off, and I guess she was just-my mom doesn't really handle it too well."
Despite their mother's initial nerves, the brothers have embraced their reputation as physical, high-energy players. When the Kelce brothers asked who would win in a Tkachuk family brawl, Matthew was quick to respond.
"I would go Brady, my dad, me; one, two, three," he said confidently.
Travis Kelce then put Brady on the spot, asking if he thought he could take their dad in a fight. Brady itted his dad had the mental edge, but Matthew was all in on his younger brother. "I'm taking Brady all day," he said.
The Tkachuks' ability to blend skill with a fiery playing style has made them two of the NHL's most entertaining players, and their latest reveal only adds to their growing legend. Their secret plan for the 4 Nations Face-Off wasn't just a viral moment-it was a glimpse into the competitive fire that defines them.