Photo Credit floridapanthers.com
By Andrew Stevens
I always love it when different worlds we appreciate come together for an experience. I’m a big hockey fan and obviously this is the best time of the year with the Stanley Cup Playoffs ongoing (Go Ducks!). My hockey journey is a bit wild, but that’s not the story here today. However, I will note that one of my favorite players growing up was Keith Tkachuk. I absolutely loved the way he played the game – a big physical presence that absolutely owned the ice every time he got out there.
Keith now has two kids playing in the NHL (how am I this old…) and I’m also a big fan of theirs now too. Both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk brought home the Gold medal in the Olympics this year for the United States which is amazing! However, I quickly became a fan of Matthew during his early years in Calgary and then started following almost every game of his since his trade to Florida. It’s been a heck of a ride since that time with two Stanley Cup victories and three appearances in the finals over the past three seasons for the Panthers.
Unfortunately, Florida didn’t make the playoffs this season. However, that didn’t stop Matthew from having an incredible experience at this time of year! This weekend is the Fort Lauderdale airshow in Florida and Matthew was given the opportunity to fly as a civilian passenger with the Thunderbirds. Two Stanley Cups, an Olympic Gold Medal, and a ride in an F-16 (all in two years) – talk about living the dream! So yeah, it’s always fun when worlds we love come together – this time the aviation and hockey world for me. Also, I totally want a #26 “Thunderbirds” Florida Panthers hockey jersey! I would absolutely wear that at Oshkosh this year!
You can read more about one of Matthew Tkachuk’s greatest experiences of his life on the NHL.com: https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/tkachuk-has-one-of-the-greatest-experiences-of-my-life-flying-with-u-s-air-force-thunderbirds
