Tkachuk bros shoutout ‘Monday Night Countdown’ hosts before season opener
Matthew, Brady drop the puck on Tuesday to kick off 2026-27 NHL season
By Christopher Detwiler
NHL.com Staff Writer
Hockey fans saw a couple of familiar faces on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” on Monday.
Prior to the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, Florida Panthers teammates Matthew and Brady Tkachuk made an appearance on the pregame show with hosts Jason Kelce and Pat McAfee.
“What’s up Jason and Pat? Hope you guys are enjoying Monday Night Football,” Matthew said in a prerecorded video, before handing a football off to his brother.
“Pumped to be playing with my brother here,” Brady said. “Opening Night on ESPN.”
The Tkachuk brothers show Jason Kelce and Pat McAfee some love on Monday Night Countdown 🙌Watch Panthers-Hurricanes tomorrow at 5 PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App 🏒 pic.twitter.com/NGkaxOhLZV
View post on XThe promo ended with an invite (or maybe a challenge?) from Matthew for the older Kelce brother.
“Jason, I’ve seen you skate,” Matthew said. “Come lace them up with us.”
Jason and his brother, Travis, grew up playing hockey and have been strong supporters of the sport over the years. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Kelce brothers donated $10,000 to the family of Team USA women’s hockey member Laila Edwards, giving them the opportunity to travel to Milan and watch Edwards earn Olympic Gold.
Jason and his wife, Kylie, attended the Olympic semifinal game themselves.
The Stanley Cup has also appeared on the brothers’ podcast, “New Heights.”
The 2026-27 NHL season kicks off on Tuesday, when the Florida Panthers visit the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes (5 p.m. ET; ESPN) in the first game of ESPN’s season-opening tripleheader.
