The Americans didn’t name Matthew Tkachuk as captain because they didn’t need to. Tkachuk doesn’t need a “C” sewn into his jersey to lead the American team.
His leadership position on this team is almost a birthright. It’s programmed into his DNA. It’s who he is.
Team USA general manager Bill Guerin understands this because Matthew’s dad, Keith, and Guerin were flag carriers in 1996 when the Americans beat an Eric Lindros-led Canada team in Montreal to win the World Cup of Hockey.
No one told them to lead the way. It was natural to them. So it is with Matthew and brother Brady. They are Keith’s sons like Brett Hull was Bobby’s son. The Hulls could score. The Tkachuks can score and instill passion and fire in those around him.
We don’t know what will happen with this U.S. team, but whatever will occur will not because of a lack of leadership.
Many wondered why Auston Matthews was named captain of Team USA instead of Tkachuk.
But if you are, or have been in the military, you understand that the Matthews-Tkachuk leadership pairing is similar to the relationship between platoon leader and the first sergeant. The lieutenant carries the rank, but even he often admits that men look to the first sergeant when the action is heaviest.
And when the action is heaviest, hockey players look to Matthew Tkachuk to show them a path to success. Matthew has showed us the last two springs that he knows what to do.
Meanwhile, Matthews is an elite scorer and maybe the thinking was that by giving him the “C” you empower him to accept a highest level of responsibility for his 2026 U.S. Olympic team.
You want Matthews to feel the weight of the letter on his jersey, to want to play the best he has ever played in international competition. It seems to be working because as of this writing, Matthews has three goals and five points to sit atop the American scoring list. The Toronto star has two goals and an assist against Germany.
Players respect Matthews' ability and Matthews respects Tkachuk. It’s a perfect lieutenant-first sergeant relationship.
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