Brady Tkachuk is an American hero for winning the gold medal in the men’s hockey tournament against Canada in overtime at the Winter Olympic Games.
He is also the captain of the Ottawa Senators, an NHL franchise in Canada’s capital.
While he celebrated at the White House on Tuesday, Tkachuk knew it wouldn’t be a warm welcome back to Ottawa after three straight nights celebrating the United States of America.
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“They’re not the happiest with me right now,” Tkachuk said in an interview with FOX News in Washington. “I’m just going to go back and give them everything that I’ve got. It’s a funny feeling when you feel their support every day, and then, within two weeks, you’re Public Enemy No. 1.”
Tkachuk wasn’t shy about admitting that things changed since he left for the Olympics and the NHL went on break, as the Senators are currently in a dogfight to make the postseason.
Brady, along with his brother Matthew of the Florida Panthers, became the face of villainy for the Canadians. Their brash, trash-talking, physical nature is applauded by American viewers, but they became the symbol of everything wrong with the American men’s hockey team.
While that hadn’t affected Tkachuk’s stature with the Senators so far, after beating Canada and breaking their hearts, that has rapidly changed.
Tkachuck wasn’t shy about knowing the blowback coming his way when he retakes the ice in Ottawa.
But as they turn to begin play again on Thursday at home against the Detroit Red Wings, the Ottawa captain feels like he can win back the love of the fanbase by getting the team back to the playoffs.
“I’m going back with a smile on my face, and I’m getting ready for a playoff push.”