Matthew Tkachuk, born on December 11, 1997, in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a prominent left-shot left-winger currently playing in the NHL. He began his hockey journey with the St. Louis AAA Blues 16U team, where he impressed with 25 goals and 57 assists, totaling 82 points in just 41 games during the 2012-2013 season.
Early Career and Development
In the 2013-2014 season, Tkachuk continued to show promise, scoring five goals and adding 12 assists for 17 points in 33 games with the United States National Team Development Program. He also excelled internationally, contributing four goals and three assists in six games at the U17 World Hockey Championships.
Tkachuk was selected 64th overall by the London Knights during the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, although he initially attracted less attention due to his commitment to play for Notre Dame. His season with the Knights in 2015-2016 was nothing short of spectacular. He scored 30 goals and set up 77 assists, achieving a remarkable 107 points in 57 games. He shone in the OHL playoffs, registering 20 goals and 20 assists in just 18 games.
NHL Career and Achievements
Tkachuk was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft, establishing himself as an agitating power forward at 6’2” and 201 lbs. In his rookie season, he made an immediate impact with 13 goals and 35 assists in 76 games, finishing seventh in the Calder Trophy race.
After an all-star season in 2021-2022, where he scored 42 goals and added 62 assists, Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers in July 2022. He soon signed an eight-year contract extension worth $9.5 million annually. During his first season with the Panthers, he reached a new peak in his career, scoring 40 goals and 69 assists in 79 games, narrowly missing his record from Calgary.
Recent Performance and Recognition
- Tkachuk contributed to the Panthers’ two consecutive Stanley Cup victories since joining the team.
- He has been named to the All-Star Game five times in the last six seasons.
- While representing Team USA at the 4 Nations Faceoff last season, an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. However, he returned for the playoffs.
Most recently, Tkachuk made his season debut for the 2025-2026 campaign against the San Jose Sharks, showcasing his ongoing impact in the league.
