Brady Tkachuk has never been one to back down from a challenge, and after the USA’s heartbreaking loss in the Four Nations Tournament, the fiery captain is making his mission crystal clear: redemption at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The disappointment of falling short against international rivals has fueled Tkachuk’s competitive fire, and he isn’t shying away from declaring his intentions.

“We let that one slip,” Tkachuk admitted in a post-tournament interview. “It stings, and it should. But we’re going to use this as motivation. When 2026 comes around, we’re coming back stronger than ever. That gold medal is ours to take.”

Tkachuk, known for his relentless play, leadership, and ability to stir the emotions of both teammates and opponents, has already begun rallying Team USA’s core group. His vow to avenge the Four Nations defeat is more than just words—it’s a promise built on passion and determination.

With the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina on the horizon, the U.S. roster is expected to be stacked with talent, featuring a mix of established stars and rising young phenoms. Tkachuk’s role as both a motivator and a force on the ice will be crucial in ensuring Team USA is battle-ready when the puck drops on the Olympic stage.

The Four Nations loss served as a painful reminder of the stiff competition that awaits in 2026, but if Tkachuk has anything to say about it, Team USA won’t be coming home empty-handed next time. His message to the hockey world is loud and clear—revenge is coming, and the chase for Olympic gold has already begun.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and brother Matthew talk hockey with Travis and Jason Kelce

The Tkachuk brothers joined a couple of famous brothers on the New Heights Podcast on Wednesday with NFLers Jason and Travis Kelce

On the latest episode of Sens 1-on-1 with Bruce Garrioch, Bruce chats with TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger. They discuss the Senators’ playoff chances, where things stand with Brady Tkachuk’s injury, if

Tkachuk should have played in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Canada, what Senators GM Steve Staios may be looking for ahead of the trade deadline, what moves the Maple Leafs and Canadiens could make and what the Hurricanes are doing with Mikko Rantanen.

While Matthew was front and centre with an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in New York on Monday night, he also teamed up with Brady for an appearance on one of the biggest podcasts in North America to discuss their role with Team USA.

The Tkachuk brothers joined some famous siblings from the National Football League on the New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce.

Jason retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 while Travis Kelce just wrapped his season with the Kansa City Chiefs with a Super Bowl loss earlier this month. It’s not known if his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was listening in the other room while the Tkachuks were recording the episode that was released Wednesday.

Matthew and Brady spoke with the Kelces about their experience at the 4 Nations because it was the first time they’d ever had the chance to play together in a competitive tournament that meant something.

“The bodies have taken a bit of a toll,” Matthew told the podcast. “So much for people thinking it was going to be an all-star game. That was tough hockey. I played in the Stanley Cup final last year and it was the exact same.

“It was very fun. The highlight for me was getting the chance to play with Brady. It was such an incredible time and something that we’re going to look back on forever.”

Brady told the Kelces it was something he won’t forget.

“It was the best hockey experience I’ve ever had,” Brady said.

The Kelce brothers, who both played hockey when they were younger, wanted to discuss the incident in Game 2 of the tourney when there were three fights in nine seconds against Canada in Montreal, with the Americans scoring an eventual 3-1 victory at the Bell Centre.

Matthew started the festivities by dropping the gloves with Canada’s Brandon Hagel. Brady followed in his brother’s footsteps with Sam Bennett. Then, J.T. Miller took the worst of it from Canada’s Colton Parayko.

“We wanted to show how united we were and how proud we were to be Americans,” Matthew said. “We knew it was going to be an intense game. We were talking about if there were going to be some scraps to set the mood right away. It made me very proud to be playing for that team.”

They explained that the plan was hatched during a group chat just as they were going to take their afternoon naps on game day.

But they didn’t tell anybody because it didn’t become serious until just before the game.

“Nobody knew and, honestly, it didn’t even cross our minds that we didn’t tell anybody in our family,” Brady said. “We were debriefing after the game with the family and, of course, everybody was so excited.”

Once Matthew dropped the gloves, their father Keith told his wife Chantal that Brady would be next.

“I guess my dad saw right off the draw Matthew going back with his one glove off and he tapped my mom and he’s like, ‘You don’t really know what’s coming, but it’s happening,’” Brady added. “She’s like, ‘What are you talking about?’ Then the whistle and the gloves came off and I guess my mom doesn’t really handle it too well.

“She’s accepted that’s kind of who we are as players, but on that stage, she was pretty nervous.”

Brady and his brother Matthew have both yet to suit up for their National Hockey League teams since the Americans’ 3-2 overtime loss to Team Canada in the final of the 4 Nations tourney held at the TD Garden in Boston.

Florida coach Paul Maurice told reporters earlier this week that Matthew will be out long-term, but is expected to play again this season.

Brady, along with forwards Josh Norris and Shane Pinto, weren’t given the green light to suit up against the Winnipeg Jets, which means the club will be shorthanded up front on Wednesday night.

The Senators recalled forwards Angus Crookshank and Jan Jenik from their American Hockey League affiliate to face the Jets at the Canadian Tire Centre. Still, coach Travis Green will dress 11 forwards and seven defencemen as the club tries to halt a four-game losing skid.

This was the second straight game that Tkachuk missed since he suffered a lower-body ailment in Game 3  with Team USA of the 4 Nations Face-Off while going to the net in the second period against Team Sweden.

This was the sixth straight that Norris missed with a mid-body injury he suffered on Feb. 1 against Nashville. Pinto was out for the fourth straight with an injury he suffered on Feb. 4 against Tampa Bay.

There is no timetable for their return, but all three players participated in an optional skate. Whether they’ll be ready to face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday remains anybody’s guess, but all appear to be close.

Tkachuk told reporters on Tuesday that he doesn’t want to return if he’s not 100% because he doesn’t want the injury to nag him for the final 20 games. He’d rather deal with it now and try to help this club make the playoffs for the first time in eight years.