Team USA ice hockey athlete Brady Tkachuk has said representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics is “one of the greatest honors” of his life, drawing applause from conservative commentators as political debate swirls around other Team USA remarks.

Why It Matters

Tkachuk’s comments arrived during heightened scrutiny of U.S. Olympians’ public statements, contrasting with backlash against freestyle skier Hunter Hess after he expressed “mixed emotions” about representing the country at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

This is the first Olympics with National Hockey League participation since 2014. The United States will open group play against Latvia on Thursday. The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, northern Italy, from February 6 to February 22.

What To Know

Tkachuk, a forward for the Ottawa Senators, told reporters during a Team USA training session in Milan that competing for the U.S. at this stage was among the “greatest honors” and that he was “truly grateful” to represent “the red, white and blue.”

The White House posted his comment on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, writing: “Representing the red, white, and blue on the world stage! Let’s go @TeamUSA.”

MAGA supporters online have reacted positively to his comments. One account on X using the name Unsanctimoniously MAGA, posted: “Brady and Matthew Tkachuk are now my favorite hockey players. This is what respecting your country looks like…”

Another account, MAGA Voice, posted: “I am in tears. US Men’s Ice Hockey Team member said ‘Being able to represent the US at this stage in the Olympics is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had’ THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE.”

In a separate post, they wrote: “Dear USA Olympic Athletes, If you don’t want to represent America, get off the team. No one wants you there. Go to Mexicos team Sincerely, 77+ Million MAGA Patriots.”

Other athletes have expressed different outlooks on representing the U.S.

Hess said this week that wearing Team USA colors brought up “mixed emotions” and emphasized he does not represent “everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” remarks that prompted criticism from some conservatives.

“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of,” he said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

President Donald Trump criticized Hess on Truth Social, writing that the skier is a “real loser” who “shouldn’t have tried out for the Team.”

What People Are Saying

Brady Tkachuk told reporters during a Team USA training session in Milan: “Being able to represent the U.S. at this stage in the Olympics is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had. Truly grateful to be here and represent the red, white and blue.”

Donald Trump on Truth Social: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics… If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”

What Happens Next

Team USA will begin group play against Latvia, where Tkachuk will likely feature prominently among the NHL-heavy roster.