Matthew Tkachuk and Team USA returned home with a historic Olympic win, ending a long wait for the country. The group was in celebration mode over the past few days, with stops across different cities and a visit to the White House.
The win brought attention to their on-ice success, but there are several other stories from the tournament that are equally interesting. So, let’s take a closer look at how the night after the win unfolded for a player.
Matthew Tkachuk Shares Brady Tkachuk’s Drug Test Story
Team USA secured the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after a 2-1 overtime win against Canada on Sunday. Soon after the game, players finished media duties and prepared to celebrate. However, not everyone could leave right away.
During an episode of their podcast, Tkachuk shared that his brother, Brady Tkachuk, was selected for a post-game drug test. Brady explained that the timing caught him off guard when he was ready to join the rest of the team.
“After the game, after you do the media, there’s a mixed media scrum. I’m like, let’s go have some beers and party. I get a tap on the shoulder. ‘Hello, Brady. You’ve been selected for a drug test.’”
Matthew explained how the process worked and why it delayed Brady’s plans. “Oh my God. How this works for the drug testing is literally like, Brady, take your time. I’m not rushing you to go right now, but I will be standing by you where I can see you until you have to go.”
The tester stayed nearby while the team remained in the locker room. Matthew added, “So we’re in the locker room partying, and Brady’s buddy, little Johnny, the drug tester, is just sitting in the corner with his arms crossed, watching us have the greatest time. Probably watched Brady delete 10 beers before he had to go.”
Brady said the main issue was reaching the required sample volume of 90 milliliters. He said he usually does not face this problem, but could not complete it quickly that night.
“I’ll give you the numbers because usually after games I can go, but for some reason I just couldn’t,” Brady said. “It wasn’t nerves. It was the pressure of going so he could celebrate. I plan my tests so I don’t miss anything. Two other guys went right away and missed a couple of good songs. I’m not missing a single moment. If I have to, I will hold it.”
READ MORE: Veteran NHL Reporter Makes Case Against Matthew Tkachuk Making It to 2030 Olympics’ Team USA Roster
He then tried to speed up the process by drinking fluids over a short period. “But all of a sudden, I just couldn’t go. I had like five beers, three Powerades, two waters, all in a 40-minute span.” Even then, it took him time to complete the requirement.
Brady said the wait lasted close to the team’s departure time. “After the game, it was about an hour and a half until bus time. It took me all the way up to 10 minutes before the bus. You have to get to 90 milliliters, or you have to wait until you go more in one try. I started feeling like maybe I had enough.”
“I had to stay patient in my own game. Finally, 10 minutes before the bus, I had to gamble, and did it. I was like, thank God. If I had to stay there and the boys left, I would have been sour.”
The moment became an unusual story for Brady amid Team USA’s celebration. Matthew and Brady, both brothers, played a big role for the USA, contributing 11 points and 24 penalty minutes combined. Apart from them, Jack Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck also played a major role for the USA in the finals.
