Matthew Tkachuk dispels Olympic ‘revenge’ narrative, says gold medal is ‘long time coming’ for Team USA

Matthew Tkachuk has won Stanley’s Cups on his back with Florida’s panthers, but he still has another lifelong dream to achieve. Tkachuk will be commissioned by the U.S. leader team at the 2026 Olympic Games, as El País has been hunts on its first gold medal since 1980.

Last season, Tkachuk and the Americans approached Canada dethroning in the face of 4 nations. Team USA won Round Robin’s game, but lost the championship game in extension when Connor McDavid found the back of the network for the Canadians.

In an interview with EspnTkachuk said he does not see the Olympic Games as an opportunity for “revenge”. He sees it as the possibility of achieving something that US hockey has been building for some time. Canada only becomes on the way.

“I don’t even know if you see it as a revenge, but it has been a long time since the US hockey has been at the top of the mountain,” said Tkachuk. “The ownership of the Olympic or World Games or even the World Championships, although this year we have succeeded a bit. They have been the leaders in all this and the team we have all tried to eliminate.”

Tkachuk’s father, Keith, was a member of the 2002 U.S. Hockey Team who fell into the Gold Medal in Salt Lake City. That team, like several others, took place against Canada in the final.

“We have had some incredible national players and teams that we have looked at throughout our lives, but we have not achieved the work,” said Tkachuk. “So, I would not just win [gold] It gets dreams for us, but we hope it brings a lot of satisfaction for those guys who have paved the way for us. “

Close the calls and a disturbing tendency

North hockey fans -Americans know too much about the heart of this century. In 2002, the North -Americans traveled most of the tournament only to be overcome by Canada in the Gold Medals Game.

In 2010, Team USA defeated Canada in Round Robin Play, and this established one of the biggest Olympic hockey games. In the Gold Medal Party, Zach Parise tied the game for the North -Americans with only a few seconds remaining in regulation, only for Sidney Crosby to score their iconic “golden goal” in the extension.

Then, of course, there were the 4 nations face. Team Usa had his best list, maybe never, and he could still overcome his red and white mouth.

The 2026 Olympic team should be just as loaded, if no more, the list of 4 nations. It will be the best shot of the North -Americans in a gold medal since they won it in 1980, but to do it, they will have to make a significant tendency.

Team USA has performed quite badly at the Olympic Games outside the North -American floor. The last time they were foreign to the Olympic Games was in 1972, when they won the silver in Saporo.

The 2026 Olympic Games will take place in Italy, which means that the North -Americans will have to shake anything that has moved them away from North America if they will take home for the first time in 46 years.