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Team USA star Matthew Tkachuk said he wanted to show how proud they were to be Americans during the 4 Nations tournament.
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk joined Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast, where Jason asked the Tkachuk brothers if they knew from the moment the national anthems happened they were going to get into fights with team Canada off of the puck drop.
"I think that, USA, that team was such a proud group of Americans and wanted to show how united we were and how proud we were to be Americans," Matthew responded.
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Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, celebrates with defenseman Zach Werenski, #8, his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre on Feb. 13, 2025. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
"I mean, let’s face it, the last bunch of years you really haven’t seen that from Americans in general, like to show off how proud they are to be a part of the United States. I think that our team did a great job of making a big impact on people from the whole tournament, but especially that game against Canada. Going into a hostile environment and wanting to set the tone in a very tough place against a very great team."
Prior to the now-infamous fights, the Canadian fans booed the United States national anthem, setting up a backdrop for what took place after the puck drop.
The booing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" began with President Donald Trump’s threat to issue tariffs on Canada and even saying that the country could become the "51st state." It has been common for boos to be heard during the USA’s national anthem.
Both Toronto Raptors and Ottawa Senators fans have booed the USA’s national anthem, since the tariffs were set to begin.
NHL STAR MATTHEW TKACHUK REFLECTS ON 4 NATIONS FINAL: ‘WE’RE SO LUCKY TO BE FROM THIS GREAT COUNTRY’
Canada's Brandon Hagel, #38, and United States' Matthew Tkachuk, #19, fight during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
The tariffs have since paused.
Adding the political backdrop to what was already a highly anticipated matchup, Matthew said Brady and fellow forward JT Miller talked about fighting right away to set the tone pregame.
"It made me very proud to be playing for that team during that moment. You know to see how united we were in like I said, a hostile environment. At the end of the day, a fight’s a fight, you’re going there to beat the other guy up, but I think it was more than that. It was more to show your teammates we got this. We’re together in this, we all come from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, different teams, and you know we’re in this, and we’re going to fight together," Matthew said during his appearance on "New Heights."
"That made me really proud to be honest with you and even people since the tournament, that’s all their talking about. How proud they were of our team and how united we were and how we were an inspiration to them and I think that’s coming from the whole tournament, but that’s what makes me most proud."
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Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel, #38, fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)
Matthew previously talked about how grateful he is to be an American during a trip to the White House, as he was part of the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup-winning team last season.
"Thank you, Mr. President, for having us today. We greatly appreciate it. Being one of the few Americans, who loves this country so much, it’s such an incredible day for myself. You wake up every day really grateful to be an American. So, thank you," Tkachuk said.
The next time team USA will have a chance to show off its pride on the ice will come at the 2026 Olympic Games, where they will look to avenge their 4 Nations loss to Canada.
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Fox News' Louis Casano contributed to this report.
Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.
