Brady Tkachuk reveals he almost missed Team USA's post-game celebration for wild reason
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Ryan Smitheram
Feb 28, 2026 (7:44)
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Photo credit: Imagn images Geoff Burke
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachukis back to the NHL reality, but a wild Olympic story is just surfacing.
Team USA secured a massive 2-1 overtime victory against Canada to claim the ultimate prize in Milan. The entire hockey world watched that incredible matchup.
That epic win marked the first men's hockey gold medal for the Americans since 1980. A historic drought officially ended on the international stage.
The ensuing locker room celebration was naturally legendary for the squad. The 26-year-old power forward simply experienced a bizarre delay before he could join the fun.
On a recent episode of the 'Wingmen' podcast, the Sens captain revealed the exact details. He was tapped for a mandatory regulatory test immediately following the handshake line.
He stepped off the ice expecting to instantly grab a beverage and celebrate with his exhausted teammates. The physical toll of the tournament was suddenly an afterthought.
A regulatory official had to remain strictly by his side until the required protocol was entirely completed. There is zero flexibility in these international testing rules.
Matthew Tkachuk explained the strict situation during their recent podcast broadcast. The official simply could not leave his younger brother's sight for a single second.
They jokingly dubbed the assigned official "little Johnny." This uninvited guest stood quietly in the corner of the chaotic room with his arms crossed.
The tester just watched the American squad spray drinks and enjoy the absolute greatest moment of their professional careers. It created a genuinely hilarious scene amid the joy.
Two other Team USA players were also randomly selected for the exact same post-game screening. The random draw waits for absolutely nobody.
The awkward escort did not stop the towering forward from soaking in the massive achievement. He earned his right to party after a grueling two weeks.
He tallied five points across six tournament games in Italy. His heavy style provided constant physical dominance and reliable offensive output for the American roster.
Now back under the bright lights in Ottawa, he looks to channel that championship energy into a serious playoff push. The Eastern Conference standings are incredibly tight.
The Senators absolutely need his relentless forecheck and net-front presence as the final stretch of the regular season winds down. Every single point matters from here on out.
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