USA Hockey Foundation

Keith Tkachuk played 19 years in the NHL, during which he became one of five American-born players to score 500 goals and the sixth American to score 1,000 points.

In 1996-97, after winning the World Cup with Team USA, he scored 52 goals for the Phoenix Coyotes and became the first American to lead the NHL in goal-scoring.

He racked up eight appearances with Team USA in all — two IIHF World Junior Championships in 1991 and 1992, two World Cups of Hockey in 1996 and 2004, and four Olympic Games in 1992, 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Yes, Tkachuk formed quite the legacy in his playing days, but despite all the hockey accolades that are attached to his name, his real legacy is with his children, Matthew and Brady, and their hockey endeavors.

“It’s great just to have the opportunity to play,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t look at all the accolades and stuff. I was very fortunate to play a great game and be an American, coming into the league when there weren’t a lot of Americans in the league. But, honestly, nothing compares to what’s going on here with my son being involved in the draft. Nothing compares to that.”

Matthew Tkachuk is making a claim to follow in his father’s footsteps. He went into this year’s NHL Draft rated as the No. 2 North American skater and with the sixth pick overall, the Calgary Flames selected the younger Tkachuk on draft day.

Tkachuk spent two years with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, amassing 80 points on 34 goals and 46 assists during his Under-18 year in 2014-15. He capped the season with a gold medal at the IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship. This year, he continued to make a name for himself on the international scene, helping Team USA earn bronze at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship with four goals and 11 points in seven games.

“He’s taking it in stride, he doesn’t get too worked up over it,” Keith said of his son as he prepped for the Draft. “We as parents get pretty worked up over it because it’s a nerve-wracking experience. It’s just one of these things where he understands the hard work is going to start afterwards.”

You’d think the younger Tkachuk would turn to his beloved and accolade-laden father but…

“You know how they are at that age,” Keith said. “He’ll call once in awhile.

“I always tell him two things: Compete every day; competing is the first thing. Then being a good teammate is the second thing. Those are the two most important things he needs to do. He can’t worry about anything else. He just has to go out and do those things and he’ll be fine.”

While Matthew’s NHL career is only beginning, both Tkachuks share a successful career with Team USA. 

As mentioned, Matthew earned a bronze and a gold in the last two years, with an additional gold medal with Team USA’s U-17 Team in 2014. Keith has an Olympic silver medal from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, a gold from the 1996 World Cup and a bronze from the 1992 World Junior Championship. 

With his eight Team USA appearances, Keith noted that he was exposed to and played with many different players, under many different coaches, and also enjoyed the rare opportunity to represent his country in the Olympics. 

“There’s nothing better than representing your country; it’s a whole different atmosphere,” Tkachuk said. “I was very fortunate to be a part of some great tournaments and great teams. I’ll never forget those moments. They were very influential in my career going forward, getting into the league and getting noticed. That was awesome.”

His son’s participation with the NTDP, meanwhile, was instrumental — from the coaching to the specific developmental practices the program provides, all of it made an impact. It has been so successful that the youngest Tkachuk, Brady, is now entering his second year with the prestigious program, too. 

The NTDP is one of the key components pushing hockey in the right direction in the United States. Between USA Hockey’s efforts, from community hockey to the international level, and the spread of hockey throughout the country into southern markets — such as Scottsdale, Arizona, where Matthew was born, American-born players are making a bigger impact year after year. 

“It’s been a heck of an experience for him,” Tkachuk said.