With the start of orientation camps, much of the recent talk around the hockey world has been about the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 4 Nations Face-Off was a grand slam of a success for the sport, which has anticipation at an all-time high for the return of NHL players at the Olympic Games.
Team USA is looking to get revenge for its 3-2 overtime loss to rival Team Canada in the 4 Nations final. Despite the end result, the Americans showed everyone that this is a new era of US hockey, and it was spearheaded by the Tkachuk brothers.
Both Brady and Matthew Tkachuk were selected among the first six players to represent their country in Italy, but after another grueling Stanley Cup run playing through injury, will Matthew be ready for the tournament? Emily Kaplan shared the latest in an article for ESPN.
“Team USA general manager Bill Guerin said he is ‘planning and expecting’ for Matthew Tkachuk to be available for the Olympic team in February. “If something changes, then we’ll do what we have to do,” Guerin said Wednesday. “But he’s on the roster, and he’s going to be on until he can’t,” Kaplan wrote.
From Plymouth, Michigan at Team USA Olympic orientation camp..
Bill Guerin says Matthew Tkachuk is expected back for Olympics.https://t.co/OzancfW1MH
Patrick Kane vies to play his way onto the roster, says gold is only thing missing from his HOF career.…
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) August 27, 2025
The 27-year-old was limited to just 52 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, where he produced at over a point-per-game rate with 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists).
What is Tkachuk’s current injury status?
After attempting to rehab and recover from the ailment, Matthew Tkachuk recently underwent surgery on the issue that’s hampered him since the 4 Nations.
The exact details of the procedure are unknown, though Tkachuk himself said after winning the cup that he was dealing with a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia throughout the postseason.
He will miss the first several months of the 2025-26 campaign, but you know he’ll be doing everything in his power to make sure he’s ready to suit up for Team USA come February.
