Matthew Tkachuk's journey back to the U.S. was a bit more direct than some of his Team USA teammates, but that's not slowing him down. Fresh off a gold medal victory in Milan, Italy, the Florida Panthers star is already gearing up for another trip.
Speaking with reporters in Miami, Tkachuk shared his excitement about the team's invitation to the State of the Union. President Donald Trump has extended the invite, and despite the tight schedule with NHL games resuming on Wednesday, it seems the team is keen to attend.
Tkachuk confirmed his plans to head to Washington, D.C., as reported by the Miami Herald's Jordan McPherson.
Joining Matthew on the Olympic team was his younger brother Brady, who plays for the Ottawa Senators. It's been a whirlwind for the Tkachuk brothers, balancing Olympic glory with their NHL commitments.
There's been some chatter about the Panthers possibly managing Matthew's playing time as he deals with an injury. Fortunately, the Panthers' schedule offers a bit of a breather, with their next game against the Toronto Maple Leafs set for Thursday. This matchup will also feature Team USA captain Auston Matthews.
For now, Tkachuk is focused on celebrating the team's achievements in the nation's capital.