Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson are set to return to NHL action on Thursday, Feb. 26, after an unforgettable journey celebrating their gold-medal win with Team USA.
These two Ottawa Senators stars were absent from the ice as they took part in a whirlwind celebration tour, including a stop at the White House and the State of the Union on Capitol Hill. After a victory lap that took them from the Olympic Games in Milan to a gold-medal party in Miami, and even a visit with President Donald Trump, they're back in Ottawa and ready to lace up for the morning skate at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Their focus? Taking on the Detroit Red Wings.
Senators’ coach Travis Green is fully supportive of their celebrations, confident that Tkachuk and Sanderson will return energized and ready to help Ottawa make a push for the Eastern Conference playoffs. He acknowledges the rarity of such an achievement and is thrilled for his players, noting their excitement and dedication.
"It's a monumental achievement," Green said after the team’s practice. "Winning gold is something special, and I know both Brady and Jake are thrilled. But their commitment to the Senators is unwavering, and I have no doubt they'll be all in for us."
Fans will undoubtedly be eager to welcome Tkachuk and Sanderson back, though their recent visit with the controversial Trump might stir mixed reactions. Tkachuk, aware of the potential backlash, remains focused on giving his all for the team and the fans.
“They might not be thrilled with me right now,” Tkachuk admitted. “But I'm committed to giving them everything I've got. It's a unique situation, feeling the support shift, but I'm here to play my heart out.”
As Tkachuk and Sanderson rejoin the Senators, their Olympic triumph adds an intriguing layer to the team’s dynamic, and fans will be watching closely to see how their gold-medal experience translates back to NHL ice.