Podcast Summary: The Athletic Hockey Show — Brady Tkachuk Talks Olympics, Canada Rivalry, and Going for Gold

Release Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Pierre Lebrun (interviewed by Max Boltman intro)
Guest: Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators captain, Team USA Olympian)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk as he prepares to represent Team USA at the 2026 Milan Olympic Games. Pierre Lebrun explores Tkachuk’s mindset heading into the Olympics, memories of his hockey family legacy, the heated rivalry with Team Canada, experiences at the Four Nations tournament, and his personal dreams of Olympic gold. The conversation also touches on the significance of NHL players’ return to the Games and the pressures and privileges of playing on hockey’s biggest international stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Weight and Dream of Becoming an Olympian

• Brady shares his excitement and pride about becoming an Olympian, emphasizing the fulfillment of a childhood dream:
  • “Being able to say that you’re an Olympian… all that hard work as a kid paying off to representing the USA… it’s a dream come true.” — Brady Tkachuk ([02:36])

Playing with Family Legacy — and with His Brother

• Growing up, the dream was always split between winning a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold:
  • “The game-winning goal narrative goes from Game 7 Stanley Cup to that OT winner in the gold medal game. Those goals you score in the driveway and on mini sticks, it’s for an event like Gold Medal Olympics.” — Brady ([03:07])
• Childhood memory: Brady brought his father Keith’s 2002 Olympic silver medal to a second-grade show-and-tell:
  • “I don’t know where it is now… my mom didn’t trust me to have it all day. I’d be wearing it at recess!” — Brady ([03:34])

Lessons from the Four Nations Tournament

• Losing a close championship game in overtime and how adversity can fuel future success:
  • “Being one goal away… sometimes you need to face some hard times, some adversity, to make your goals even sweeter and greater.” — Brady ([04:22])

The Infamous Nine Seconds: USA vs. Canada

• Brady and his brother Matthew “scripted” a bold opening with back-to-back fights to spark their team and show solidarity:
  • “I was more nervous for Matthew’s fight than my fight. We joked about being public enemy number one… we wanted to show how much of a team we were and that we’d do whatever it takes.” — Brady ([05:11])
• The Tkachuk family reactions were just as candid:
  • “Our wives were there, and I don’t even think they knew… my mom was flustered as it gets after.” — Brady ([05:44])

The US-Canada Rivalry

• Tkachuk discusses the deep-rooted rivalry and America’s hunger to dethrone Canada:
  • “Canada’s been the top dog for so many years, and now the US is knocking on the door. We want to take out the top dog in the hockey world.” — Brady ([06:01])

Not Just About the Rivalry: Depth of International Competition

• Acknowledgment that teams like Finland and Sweden are just as much a threat as Canada:
  • “There’s so many great players, so many great countries… every day is a Game 7.” — Brady ([06:39])

The Return of NHL Players to the Olympics

• Reflecting on the 12-year absence of NHL player participation and what it means for this generation:
  • “Everybody wants to be in the Olympics… it’d be great for the league and the growing of the game… every NHL player should have that opportunity.” — Brady ([07:13])

“Miracle on Ice” and American Hockey Identity

• Brady grew up watching Miracle, the quintessential US hockey movie:
  • “I don’t even think I could give you a number the amount of times I’ve watched it. It was a staple growing up.” — Brady ([08:07])
• Notes on the real pressure after the famous Soviet win:
  • “Hardest practice they ever had was the day after the Soviet game… Herb Brooks said they’d take it to the graves if they didn’t win that one.” — Brady ([08:28])

Navigating Political Backdrops

• Reflecting on heightened US-Canada tensions and representing Team USA as an NHL captain of a Canadian team:
  • “You gotta always be a little more cautious and careful in the environment… there’s a lot of that stuff you can’t control.” — Brady ([09:26])

Pressure, Expectation, and the Privilege to Compete

• Pressure as a privilege, embracing the underdog mentality:
  • “We’re probably gonna go in there with an underdog mindset, but expect a lot out of ourselves… pressure is a privilege. It’s just an honor to be on the team.” — Brady ([09:56])

The Ultimate Visualization: Gold with His Brother

• Brady reflects honestly on visualizing Olympic triumph:
  • “I’m definitely not going to shy away. It’s fun to picture that and visualize… being up there with my brother. I’ve dreamt of that moment.” — Brady ([10:16])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being an Olympian:
  “Being able to say you’re an Olympian… it’s a dream come true.” — Brady Tkachuk ([02:36])

• On American hunger to topple Canada:
  “Canada’s been the top dog for so many years, and now the US is knocking on the door.” — Brady ([06:01])

• On visualizing Olympic gold:
  “It’s fun to picture that and visualize that… I’ve dreamt of that moment, and now I’m just going to do everything in our power as a team to have it come to fruition.” — Brady ([10:16])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dreaming of the Olympics & Family Legacy: [02:22] – [03:34]
• Four Nations, Rivalry, and the “Opening Nine Seconds": [04:08] – [05:52]
• US-Canada Rivalry & International Competition: [06:01] – [06:56]
• NHL Players Back in Olympics: [06:56] – [07:49]
• “Miracle on Ice” Reflections: [07:49] – [08:48]
• Political Backdrop & Playing as a USA Star on a Canadian Team: [08:48] – [09:43]
• Handling Pressure & Visualizing Gold: [09:43] – [10:37]

Episode Tone

Brady Tkachuk is earnest, candid, and clearly passionate about both his American hockey roots and the competitive fire of international play. The conversation is natural, with moments of humor, nostalgia, and deep competitive drive—particularly around the family legacy and the fierce but respectful rivalry with Team Canada. The dialogue balances personal anecdote with big-picture perspective on the meaning of the Olympics for current NHL stars.

For listeners seeking the spirit, energy, and behind-the-scenes mindset of a top American hockey star heading into the Olympics, this episode is a can't-miss.