FORT LAUDERDALE — Family reunions are always special, but when they happen on the ice, they are just a little bit sweeter. Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito made one happen for the Tkachuk brothers Sunday, bringing in star Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators — in exchange for four draft picks — to join his brother and fan favorite, Matthew, in South Florida.
Brady addressed the media for the first time Tuesday since the blockbuster trade, and showed nothing but excitement for the move.
“I’m just really excited for this next chapter and being a part of this excellent group,” he said. “Everybody’s a part of the puzzle and everybody, their sole focus is winning, and that’s something I’m just excited to join into.”
The forward spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Ottawa Senators. He spent the last five seasons as a captain and racked up 213 goals and 463 points with the franchise that selected him with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft.
Tkachuk said his time with the Senators shaped him, and because of that, the decision to leave wasn’t easy. However, he ultimately decided that it was time to move on to something new.
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, left, and Brady Tkachuk at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Zito expressed nothing but excitement for the arrival of the 26-year-old standout and what he will bring to a star-studded roster.
“We’re very pleased and very happy to have Brady join the mix,” Zito said Tuesday. “So much of that fit is obvious. Style of play, obviously, the relationship, the family, who he is as a person having spent time with him … it’s just a real positive fit. I think it’s great for the Panthers and great for the league.”
Off the ice, Brady said their families being together in Florida is another special part of him landing with the Panthers. In addition to being reunited with his brother, his parents also have a home in Florida and regularly attend Panthers games. Their dad is NHL legend Keith Tkachuk, who was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday — less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates.
“That’s something that was really important, to have our kids grow up together, be close, and something that we find that’s going to be really special for our family,” he said.
Brady said the two had never really thought about the possibility of playing together in the NHL, and that the idea only came to be when they competed together in this year’s Olympics and won gold with Team USA.
And now they will aim for something else: a Stanley Cup. Matthew has experienced it, winning two cups and getting to the final three times in his four seasons with the Panthers. Meanwhile, Brady will look for his first, with the opportunity to play in high-stakes games — which he got a taste of at the Olympics and 4 Nations Face-Off — being one of the things that drew him to Florida.
Brady Tkachuk speaks during a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
In the Panthers’ next hunt for the cup, the duo will play a critical role.
“Winning is paramount,” Zito said. “And when a player of Brady’s stature, ability and, most important, character becomes available, you do what you can to try to acquire players like that and fit them into the group.”
While the specifics of exactly where he will land in the Panthers lineup is still up in the air, the franchise, nevertheless, has added yet another strong, experienced forward to an elite group. The addition of Brady is just another reason for optimism as Florida has high expectations for the 2026-27 campaign.
“I just wish the season started tomorrow,” Brady said.
Brady Tkachuk puts on his new sweater during a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Brady Tkachuk meets with the media after a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Brady Tkachuk speaks during a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, left, and Brady Tkachuk at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, left, and Brady Tkachuk at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, left, and Brady Tkachuk at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Brady Tkachuk listens to a question during a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, left, and Brady Tkachuk at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Brady Tkachuk puts on his new sweater during a news conference at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Tkachuk, whose brother Matthew also plays for the Panthers, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)