Inside the Tkachuk DNA: How a Hockey Family Built Two NHL Superstars

Hockey is not just a game to the Tkachuks—it's life. Since Keith Tkachuk laced up his skates for the NHL, a legacy has been created. Nearly decades later, his two sons, Matthew and Brady, have carved their own superstar identities in the league, both exuding the hard-nosed competitiveness and championship-level talent that defines Tkachuk DNA. But why this family? How did two brothers not only play in the NHL but thrive as two of the sport's greatest power forwards?


Keith Tkachuk was never just a solid NHL player—he was a force. A 500-goal man and one of the most feared power forwards of his generation, Keith's style was a blend of brute force, top-flight ability, and in-your-face attitude. That model was the blueprint for Matthew and Brady, who grew up as children seeing their father duke it out on the ice.
Matthew and Brady were exposed to hockey culture at a young age. Keith never pressured them into the sport, but he made sure that if they did play, they would play fairly—building their skills with effort, learning the ins and outs of the sport, and acquiring the work ethic needed to be successful.

If there's one thing that defines the Tkachuk brothers, it's their highly competitive nature. Backyard games as kids weren't for fun; they were battles. Whether it was mini-stick battles in the basement or summer camp-style training sessions, the Tkachuks turned every game into a competition.
It was this competitive drive between brothers that pushed each other to levels higher than the rest. It was also inspired by their mother, Chantal, who kept them grounded but supported their indefatigable drive.

Though they played similarly, Matthew and Brady entered the NHL with different careers. Matthew picked up his skills playing in the OHL with the London Knights, winning a Memorial Cup award before being taken sixth overall in 2016 by the Calgary Flames. His NHL debut directly demonstrated his big hockey brains, silky smooth mitts, and knack for antagonizing foes.
Brady went the NCAA route, sporting the jersey at Boston University before being taken fourth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. The larger and stronger of the twins, Brady soon established himself as a leader, being awarded the 'C' in Ottawa as captain and possessing the same attack-oriented, puck-handling style of play his brother did.
Both brothers have since established themselves as pillars of their franchises. Matthew, now with the Florida Panthers, is one of the league's best all-around forwards, while Brady has found his niche as the heart and soul of the Senators.


Now, the Tkachuks are more than a hockey dynasty—they're an attitude. Tough, talented, and unafraid, Matthew and Brady continue to light the way, proving that it's not an accident that has propelled them to success.
Also read: Keith Tkachuk Praises Auston Matthews Amid Scoring Struggles
As Keith Tkachuk watches his sons dominate the NHL, he's not just proud—he's witnessing the evolution of the very person he once brought onto the ice. And with the Tkachuk name now synonymous with hockey greatness, the family legacy in the sport is hardly finished.