OverDrive - Tkachuk on the Senators' season, the Olympics for the US and the Wingmen podcast

Episode Date: December 10, 2025

Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk joined OverDrive to discuss his season and return to the Senators, the Olympic outlook with the USA and the ice conditions at the arena, the condensed schedule in the league, the Wingmen podcast, the experience in the playoffs,

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Yeah, I've been getting a lot of remarks about the podcast and people enjoy it. So, yeah, there's not been much hockey talk or positive hockey talks since we've been back. So, no, it's been good, you know, find a way. and I was just happy to get back in the lineup. It was a long 20 games, and I just love going to battle with the boys. Before we get to you, getting back off the injury, how did the podcast come about? Obviously, Matthew is a big personality, is one, two cups in a row. I believe you guys have a relationship with the Kelsey brothers.

I saw you on the podcast. Is that kind of how it came about, or what happened? Yeah, honestly, a lot of things just kind of started, you know, spiraling into a lot. effect after four nations and and kind of after that realized that there's going to be some opportunity maybe to do something like this and and and it kind of started around playoffs and obviously we just wanted to focus on playing playing playoffs and and kind of figure out in the summer and and then you know kind of wave came about and it's been a great experience they've made life so easy we're very very blessed me to work with them and it's just been an awesome experience so far

Yeah, the podcast called Wing Men with Matthew and Brady Kuchuk. So, you know, in terms of that Four Nations, like we've been talking a lot about the Olympic Games. And, you know, you guys, you set the tone at the Bell Center, those three fights in nine seconds. We'll go down in history. No one's ever going to forget about it. And it was just, some of the hits you through were just crazy NHL-style hits.

But we've talked a lot about how different the Olympic Games is going to be. The double IHF, very different rules. there will not be fighting. You throw a massive hit. There's a chance the ref instinctively says five in a game because they just don't know how to react to it sometimes. So I'm curious how you, in particular, but your whole team, your brother, et cetera,

how do you bottle the energy of the four nations but apply it to Olympic style hockey? Yeah, I mean, you kind of hit the point. It's going to be a lot different than, you know, four nations just with, you know, of course there's going to be no fighting. So I know people were excited about that. And, but yeah, no, I think it's, you know, it's going to be different, like you said, like, you know, a different refereeing, you know, a little bit of different rules. But I think what I like about, you know, our team is that kind of the versatility, you know, whatever group gets, you know, made up is, is I know how special was, you know, last year.

And, you know, I think, no, losing that might be the best thing, you know, for us moving forward is to kind of have that taste be one shot away. and now have an opportunity to win gold in February is something that has been everybody's dream since they were kids. So I'm really looking forward to getting all the guys back together and, you know, compete and to be the best in the world. Brady, in that commercial you guys did with John Hamm, did someone give you guys the script or did you guys give someone else the script? Did you guys make up the script yourselves? How did that break down? Yeah, that was actually, you know, pretty cool experience. John Hamm wasn't there when we were filming it, but, you know, the five guys there, we basically all had the same lines, and it was pretty tough to not laugh at some of that, you know, during the shooting.

But, yeah, it was cool. I mean, just to be on a platform like that, I think somebody at USA hockey said that they've never had, I guess, exposure this early going into an Olympics, no, on a big network like that. that. So you can feel that a lot of people are excited about it and, you know, building off that four nations that, you know, for us, it's an opportunity to grow the game even more than it is now. And I think that's what, you know, excites everybody. How did Ico get the Canadian Tears line? Yeah, well, that was a tricky situation because, you know, three out of the five guys are our Canadian captains. So we knew, we knew us three weren't going to be doing that.

because we didn't want to be in the doghouse. So, you know, he took it like a champ and took over on that and definitely, no, safe face for the three of us. Yeah, we figured that had to play into it because I don't think Austin would do it. Obviously, you're not going to, and Quinn's not, Quinn, he's got enough on his plate in Vancouver. He doesn't need to add to it. I mean, that's for sure.

But, yeah, you know, there's been a lot of chatter about the smaller ice, and I know you and Matthew were talking about it on your podcast. you think it's a little bit overblown or it's not going to affect you much the fact that the rink is not even NHL size honest I don't think no guys really ever think about that

I definitely do think it's blown way out of proportion it's no I think like kind of what we said on the podcast I think any condition that you know they have for us guys are trumped at the bit to go play it's been been too long since we've had no

NHL guys at the Olympics and now to have that opportunity back that we don't want to waste it and we just want to go over there and compete and like we said in the pot it's you know the smaller ice surface might be more beneficial for Matthew and I not as much

skating up and down the sheet so when we saw the news I think we're the one of few to be very happy about that Brady what about the cost I know it's everybody you guys all wanted to play in the Olympics and be a part of it it's been too long but what about the price to pay like the schedule seems like it's stupid there's just it's condensed there's so many games every coach every player's

saying there's no time to practice i know you've been out a while but having the guy said it's ridiculous yeah i mean a lot of the guys just are you know it's the dog days right now and i think it's even more of an extreme just because we've had so much time and i know i'm one of the few that i feel like this year's just get started with all the time that i missed but uh you know the schedule has been has been crazy but i think with that it's every team's dealing with it i don't think there's a no disadvantage from one team to another and um yeah i think this is kind of that one year where um it's going to be crazy and then with the new no schedule um starting next year i think obviously it's going to be more relaxed and more time in between but uh i don't know i think it's a

small sacrifice for um something really important that guys you know believed in and and something that guys really were passionate about as having that opportunity to be in the Olympics. Yeah, I mean, like what was talking, the sacrifice that you have, I mean, the condensed schedule right now, how hard has it been just on everybody, the lack of practice time, you know, travel, all of that type of stuff? I know you missed some games, so you're chomping to get back at it,

but have you noticed a difference in the league just with, whether it's the quality of the games or how, you know, tired teams can be, just based on how much you guys are playing in such a short amount of time? I think the big thing for me that stands out is just the mental fatigue of I feel like there's a lot of definitely a lot more like five and sevens, three and fours that usually you get a couple times throughout the year, but just way more this year. And to your point, there's just not a lot of practice time to maybe fix some kinks and your own game or, you know, if you're, you know, interrupt to kind of work your way out

of it through practice and stuff like that. So, yeah, it's just a lot of, you know, pregame skating and just getting prepared. I feel like every team's mindset is making sure you're ready physically and mentally for the game because there's really no time to, I guess, figure out the Kings where just got to be mentally strong and mature and, you know, find a way to, you know, address those during games. With Brady Kuch, so you had your... your first playoff experience last year, and it turned out to be the Battle of Ontario for the

first time in 20 years. Obviously, you were weight in your whole life. You mentioned it moments ago. You always dreamt the plane at the Olympic Games. Obviously, you always jumped the plane in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now that you're through it and the dust is settled, what was the experience like? Did it meet what you, you know, whatever your expectations were and how hungry are you guys now that you've had a taste of it to make sure you do it again that was uh definitely one of the most special you know moments of no i guess satisfaction of of getting there and and to your point i think the hunger is not just getting there anymore it's about uh being a force when we get there and compete and uh be at our best come that time and i think it was just so special for uh no

all the guys that no i've never experienced playoff hockey but it was special for the city of Ottawa as well. And, no, it's, I think it's what's awesome this year is, you know, tying in with all the schedules, how close it is in the, you know, especially the Atlantic, but, you know, the Eastern Conference right now that I almost feel like you're playing playoff hockey right now. So, now that's something that, no, right now we're in a little bit of a tough, tough stretch that, you know, every team goes through, but I think that's what's going to really help us, you know, when we get through this, that I'm going to help us kind of get to get back to that playoff shape and now it's kind of playing playoff hockey right now well we we love james dothie dothie's

a obviously teammate of ours he's got his book out and his chapter on you and the prank you pulled on clod jeru i would say it's probably got more life than any other chapters there's a lot of great chapters in there oh you got a chapter noodles you have a chapter in there and i know you addressed it on your podcast like the fact and those that aren't aware of it i think you thought he had done something to you and then you cut his sticks for a practice. He didn't use them. It turns out he started using him in the game. They both broke like back-to-back

shifts and he was going nuts and you tried to get rid of the stick and you got your trainer over there and he miraculously got the third one out before he used it. But I think Drew was speaking about it previously. Like if you addressed it with him, I know now that it's got public obviously he knows what happened

but like how often recently now that it's a big public story have you and Drew yourselves talked about that prank that almost cost you actually in an NHL game. Yeah, it's, you know, ever since

the book came out, it's definitely been brought up more and we laugh about it. It's, he finds it funny. And of course, at the time, that was not funny. And knowing, gee, that's,

I think it was a perfect prank on the perfect guy, but I just, I couldn't believe I forgot about it. So, no, we laugh about it. And we're actually just reliving at the other day and talking, you know, little details that we almost kind of forgot. It was like, no way I said that to the ref that somebody tampered my sticks. I'm like, you for sure were screaming at the ref to bring him over. So now we were laughing about it.

And I'm waiting for that payback. Now that it's come back to light, we went to a couple years without talking about it. I know something's coming. Oh, he's going to take your car and do something with your car or something, man. he's going to like when you when that gets public he's got something up his sleeve that's going to be big time and you know that and you know that it's coming oh i know it's come i've i've thought but i know he wants to do something with my car and i've just always make sure i have my keys or keys around so i don't i don't leave him in the car i don't want i don't want to walk no 20 minutes in the cold

in the snow to go find my car so yeah hopefully uh hopefully it's something else yeah be careful with that and uh he's an intense guy i mean he obviously you know you play with him noodles you watch him he's a fun guy to watch play and it's funny last night was it drake bathison noodles that was calling asking for you your help last night well i mean he you know he kicked it in or it went off his skate and went in off off marks from into the net and you know i'm right between the benches so the monitor's right there so drake comes over is watching as i'm talking and gourd goes tell him that you don't have a vote so i'm like i don't have a vote man Like, if you want a goal, go ahead, but it's the league that's calling it.

So it was an unfortunate because you can tell what you're trying to do. I think you put a skate up. I just don't understand, Jamie, how that's not like, what is the danger there? Like, I don't get it. Like, why do you not want that to be a goal? Anything in front of the net? Like, it's just stupid. I guess the idea of kicking somebody, you don't want anyone getting cut with a skate if it's in front,

but you want more goals. How is that play? It just should be allowed. It's not just a homer comment because Brady's on. I just, you wonder why it's disallowed. It's a skilled play. Yeah. Yeah, I agree.

I mean, obviously, Brady, I'm sure we know where you stand on that play last night, but how often do you lean on noodles for advice during the game? Not. I always love pop my head over. I had a front row seat to their conversation last night. So, yeah, honestly, I thought for that whole time it was going to be a goal. I didn't, honestly, I didn't even think it was, much of a kicking motion but

I mean it takes some serious skill it's uh now he's a good sewer player so uh I know he was trying to kick it behind the net and you know when you get the puck luck sometimes goes in but uh he's a phenomenal player it's he's so skilled and and yeah I was I was definitely surprised

that one didn't count well I mean you're a guy that lives around the net Markstrom was not happy with you guys last night and I'm curious you know how a guy like you the way you're wired how you react to that because he was He was pretty animated. Nudels, you were there, obviously.

I mean, he was pretty heated with the traffic and all that kind of stuff. And I think after he had made his case, like a shift or two later, you came blowing into the crease. And, like, how do you react when you see, okay, a goalie is flustered? Do you take the gas off? Do you put the gas on? You know, how does that affect your mentality? Yeah, there's stuff. I mean, I understand his side of things.

He got bumped a couple times. and if I was a goalie I'd be I'd be losing it too so yeah and then a couple of shifts later come you know roaring in and and I wouldn't say I made too much contact but I ended up getting a penalty for it but yeah I mean you got to respect the battle it's you know once he took a couple bumps it's uh no he stood on his head too made some huge saves after and uh I think he's always been a emotional goalie a great goalie for not a very long time and um no had his number uh on us last night so um no for us as i think no players you want to make life as tough as possible on the goalies you know

i wouldn't like definitely not made contact on purpose but you know standing on top of the crease and and you know banging and rebounds and and creating offense in that front and uh um yeah it was i think it's it's what makes uh hockey so special is the you know the battles in the game and the competitive edge of the fire and, you know, how bad, not just the players on the ice, but goalies, you know, want to win as well. Brady, how often are you guys focused on the standings and stuff? I mean, we talk about it daily here in the media, and obviously, you know, fan bases just focus on all of that.

I mean, you guys are in the fight. Is it something that is on the whiteboard? Is it conversations at pregame? Are you just worried about, hey, we got two points tonight, and we just got to worry about that? I mean, it's, I'd be lying to say, you know, you don't check the standings, you know, every day. I think it's crazy right now that, you know, win three games, you're top of the Atlantic, you're lose three games and you're, you know, bottom three in the conference. So I think that's what makes, it's what's going to make this season so much fun is the battle, you know, that it's going to be all year right to the very end. And, no, of course, you can't let that, you know, affect you with the, you know, the fluctuation of, you know, being up, being down, and you just kind of just got to go about your business and really just take care of your own business.

You just got to take care of, you know, every single night trying to get the two points. And if not, we group, reset, and get ready to go for the next one. The podcast is Wingman with Matthew and Brady Kuch. It's a Wave Original with new episodes releasing every Wednesday on YouTube and everywhere podcasts are heard. how's your brother doing it looks like he's he's getting close right how's he doing these days yeah he's he's doing well he's uh no back on the ice and um i don't know if what what exactly his his schedule but no send some of the videos to our family group chat and uh looks good he's he's working no super hard and and uh no i know he's he's ready to get back

he's now sick and tired of watching and uh they're working as hard as he can to get back and and uh working as hard as he can to get back. I don't know if he's got a set date of when he's returning. He's kind of just taking it as it comes, but knowing him, and I know he's going to try to come back as the quickest date possible.

So I know from experience, not fun watching, I know he can really help that team, and I know he's just excited to get back and get practicing with the boys here hopefully soon and get back on the ice. Absolutely. Well, you guys back at it tomorrow night

and noodles will be there helping out right noodles you'll be there if anyone needs any advice noodles is right there between the benches uh so good luck tomorrow and the rest of the way really appreciate you doing this thank you brady thanks guys thanks for having me you got it brady kachuk captain of the ottawa senators the lights are twinkling the playlist sparkling i heart the holidays is here music with non-stop festive favorites 24-7. Gifted to you by Sleep Country. Turn it up and unwrap the holidays everywhere you go.

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