Keith Tkachuk never won the Stanley Cup during his storied 18-season NHL career, but he’s lifted it multiple times.

Most recently it was on the ice in Sunrise, as his son

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Matthew has the two rings. He’s been to the final three straight years. Brady finally makes the playoffs with Ottawa last season. It was an interesting year for him with the Senators. What did you make of that moment when their owner spoke out against teams “soft tampering” with Brady and declaring he wasn’t going anywhere despite those who feel he might want out?

Tkachuk: I wouldn’t believe everything you hear. I think after what happened with Matthew in Calgary, everyone just assumes that’s going to happen with Brady [in Ottawa].

But Brady loves it there. Brady has really cemented himself in the community. They’re a team on the rise. They got a great bunch of young players. They’re core players. The fans and the city itself treat him so well. He wants to be a big part of that moving forward. So I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

Obviously, Matthew and Brady gave us quite a show at the 4 Nations Face-Off for Team USA. What would it mean to you if they were able to win the first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey for the Americans since 1980 when they play in the 2026 Winter Games?

Tkachuk: It would mean everything. It really would. I mean, just for them to both be named among the first six selected is amazing.

But it’s more about them playing together at such a high level, in the most watched thing probably in all the sports, the Winter Olympics. I know they really enjoyed playing together at 4 Nations. I mean, it was something to see. It really was. They had so much fun.

The worst part about the whole thing was when they went to their training camp for the 4 Nations and they iced me out. They knew I had FOMO. I knew it was Matthew. He wouldn’t let Brady answer my phone calls. They iced me out for four days until I finally went to Montreal to see them.

I wanted to ask you about the huge change we’ve seen in college hockey eligibility rules recently. Brady chose Boston University, where you played as well. Matthew chose to play for the London Knights. What are your thoughts on those two paths now that young stars like Gavin McKenna are allowed to go from playing in Canadian juniors to a school like Penn State?

Tkachuk: They’re both great paths to get to the NHL. It all depends on the player. Back then, before the new rules, you had to make a choice. Matthew was a late birthday. He wanted to go play for the London Knights for [Dale and Mark] Hunter. To be able to play with Christian Dvorak and Mitch Marner was a huge plus. Matthew wanted that experience of playing an 80-plus-game-schedule, including playoffs, and went out and won a Memorial Cup.

Brady probably wasn’t as developed at the time as Matthew was. Brady wanted that college feel — that ability for him to get stronger and get bigger. It’s a lesser schedule, but he felt that was the right path and it was.

Now with the rule changes, I think it’s great. Gavin McKenna had phenomenal years at Medicine Hat. He’s one of the best players I’ve seen in a long time. Now he gets to play a schedule where he can rely on getting stronger, getting bigger, playing against older players. I think it’s a good opportunity for these kids to have a chance to go play for Boston University or Michigan State or Penn State, wherever they go. You’ve got to do what’s best for you. And the NIL money’s crazy.

You would have been OK with an extra $700,000 in your pocket back in your NCAA days?

Tkachuk: I would have settled for a few bucks a week.

After playing at Boston University in 1990-91, you embarked on a career that many people believe should be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame. There have been 48 NHL players to score 500 goals, and you’re one of only four retired ones not to be inducted yet. What does it mean to you when you see fans, media, hockey people, whomever, rally to the cause and say that Keith Tkachuk should be in the Hall of Fame?

Tkachuk: I mean, there’s nothing I can do. I appreciate the support. I really do. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, life goes on. But my kids are my Hall of Fame. I enjoy watching them. I work for the Blues, but I also get to see my kids play and see them grow up.

It was an honor to play in the NHL. The game has changed my life. If it happens, I know my mother will be extremely happy. I think she’s one who takes it the hardest.

We’ve got to get her in front of the selection committee. Speaking of family: Do you feel that the accomplishments for Matthew and Brady have perhaps raised your own profile when it comes to the Hall of Fame? Do you think the fact that people talk about you when they talk about them might help your chances for induction?

Tkachuk: Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt them. Life goes on when you’re retired, whether you had a great career, an average career or whatever. I think the success of the boys — with the 4 Nations, and obviously Matthew doing well and Brady playing in the Canadian market — it definitely gives you a little extra boost.

But I don’t look at it that way. I just look at it as I’m their dad. I love watching my kids play. I just wanted to be around them. And this has been a heck of a ride, though.