Published: February 12, 2026<\/p>\n
![\"Brady](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/875D3BAB-3389-4310-A7AE-58A51376D4FC_1_201_a.jpeg\" "\\"Brady")
MILAN, ITALY \u2013 FEBRUARY 08: Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States takes part during training on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
By Mallory Mattingly<\/p>\n
Ottawa Senators and Team USA hockey player Brady Tkachuk couldn\u2019t be more \u201chonored\u201d to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, being able to represent the US at this stage in the Olympics is one of the greatest honors that I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d Tkachuk declared in an interview shared<\/a> by Jonny Root on X. \u201cSo truly grateful to be here represent the red, white and blue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it kind of means the world. It\u2019s really like a whirlwind of emotions, flying here this morning, hanging out in the village all day, and then, you know, getting fitted for our clothes,\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd, you know, just meeting athletes, and then coming here and practicing, and now it\u2019s all like, Oh my gosh. Like, day one\u2019s over. Like, it\u2019s kind of crazy. So really enjoying the experience so far and having a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to represent the US at this stage in the Olympics is one of the greatest honors I\u2019ve ever had\u201d It\u2019s refreshing to hear athletes proud to represent America, rather than bash it\ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n Related: NHL Forward Prays Before Every Game as He Plays \u2018For God\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/tFe9LNYrcE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) February 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Tkachuk\u2019s remarks come as a sign of hope after one Team USA freestyle skier shared some of his dislikes of the U.S. on live television.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the USA. I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, a lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things,\u201d two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis said<\/a>, per Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel heartbroken about what\u2019s happening in the United States. I\u2019m pretty sure you\u2019re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,\u201d he added. \u201cI think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody\u2019s rights and making sure that we\u2019re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that\u2019s the America we\u2019re trying to represent.\u201d<\/p>\n First-time Olympian Hunter Hess shared similar sentiments, saying<\/a>, \u201cIt brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think. It\u2019s a little hard. There\u2019s obviously a lot going on that I\u2019m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think, for me, it\u2019s more I\u2019m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I\u2019m representing it,\u201d he continued. \u201cJust because I\u2019m wearing the flag doesn\u2019t mean I represent everything that\u2019s going on in the U.S. I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hess recently backtracked on his remarks to ensure the public knew he loves his country.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete,\u201d Hess wrote<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n Together, the comments from these athletes provide a big picture of what it means to wear the USA Flag on their chest at the Olympics. It shows their patriotism but also shows their right to freedom of speech.<\/p>\n Read Next: Netflix Revisits Historic Olympic Win in Brand-New Documentary<\/a><\/p>\n Questions or comments? Please write to us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t Watch GOD\u2019S NOT DEAD: IN GOD WE TRUST \u2192<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ottawa Senators & Team USA Hockey Hockey Player Brady Tkachuk<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gods_not_dead_in_god_we_trust.jpg\")
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