CALGARY — No one knows how to antagonize an opponent, a team, or even a nation quite like Matthew Tkachuk.
But in his first game back in his old stomping grounds since Milan, the game’s most decorated player the last three years chose not to bring attention to the Olympic gold medal his American squad ripped from the hands of Team Canada.
“It’s the only trip I didn’t bring it on. I think my dad’s got it right now. I wasn’t showing it off in this place.”
A wise, respectful move by the longtime Flame who knew better than to rub anything in the faces of those who treated him so well the first six years of his career.
They treated him well again Friday, with only smattered boos sprinkled in on a night in which Tkachuk and his defending champs showed very little bite.
Flames fans would have lost their minds if he’d strutted into the Dome with Olympic hardware dangling from his neck. And he knows that too.
Instead, he arrived with nothing but memories, and a whole lot of enthusiasm for something Calgary hasn’t hosted in decades: meaningful international hockey.
Because if there was one topic that lit him up more than the gold he didn’t bring, it was the World Cup of Hockey landing in Calgary and Edmonton in 2028.
“I think it’ll be really good for the new building,” he said while champing at the bit to catch up with Ryan Lomberg and get out on the town with teammates.
“I’m excited. I love this building. I love having the memories here, but I think it’s gonna be great for the city now that they can get all the concerts and the stuff that they’ve been missing.”
Then he went full Calgary ambassador.
“Because, to me, this is the best city in the area, by far,” he smiled, unable to resist yet another shot at Edmonton.
“And now, with this new rink, it brings just that much more traction, and I think a lot more people outside of Calgary will see what a great city Calgary is.”
One night earlier his beleaguered club turned on the jets to run the Oilers’ show once again.
But on either side of that game, the battered Panthers were beaten soundly by the 32nd and 31st place teams in the league, as part of a western Canadian tour that started in Vancouver and ended in the city Tkachuk was drafted and broke in.
There’s a respect factor for Tkachuk in Calgary that’s clearly mutual.
Even though he informed the team he wouldn’t re-sign here in 2022, he did so a year ahead of time, giving the club ample time to get something meaningful for him in return.
He still talks about Calgary like a guy who knows the shortcuts, the late‑night eats, and the best patios. And, no matter the circumstances, he understands he broke a few hearts on the way out.
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“We got a couple boos the last few games, but nothing crazy,” shrugged Tkachuk, who has been a shadow of his irritating self since he returned from major surgery in time to play in the Olympics.
“It’s pretty good here. I love the fans here and I’ve got so many good memories with them. Still got some boos here.”
“Actually, (I was) surprised I got some boos in Vancouver.”
You can expect Tkachuk and his brother to be in the eye of the storm in 2028 when the eight-team best-on-best tourney will feature Canada and the U.S. playing round-robin games at Scotia Place, less than 6 months after it’s expected to open.
“I’m kind of surprised that there’s not a game in the U.S. at some point, if I’m being honest,” he said.
“But Calgary was my home for six years. With the round robin here we’ll be here for a few days, so make the team, and show a few guys some great spots.”
Another former Flame thriving in Florida, Sam Bennett lit up when asked about the World Cup coming to Alberta.
“Obviously it’s awesome,” said one of Team Canada’s gold medal heroes at the last incarnation of the World Cup, which was the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“I think it’s great for Calgary. I know how passionate the fans are here, so it’s great to see them get that experience. And I’m sure it’ll be awesome in that new building as well.”
But Bennett, unlike Tkachuk, allowed himself to get sentimental about the Saddledome, the rink that introduced him to the NHL and will soon be reduced to rubble.
“I mean, it’s where I got introduced to the NHL here, so obviously a lot of nostalgia coming back into this building,” said Bennett.
“This building will always be special to me. It’ll definitely be a sad day when this building goes down.”
Tkachuk didn’t say it outright, but you could feel it: He feels the same way.
The Dome is where he became Matthew Tkachuk, the villain, the hero, the entertainer.
The Olympic gold medalist who knew better than to remind everyone of it.
The formula the Longhorns used to beat BYU proved highly successful, and they’ll likely try to replicate that game plan against the Bulldogs.
;)
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