Tkachuk brothers share first All-Star Game in their hometown

Brady Tkachuk didn’t mind cutting his vacation to Bahamas short. Tkachuk, a 20-year-old forward for Ottawa Senators, was planning on a couple of days of fun in sun before going to St. Louis to watch his older bror, Matw, represent Calgary Flames at NHL All-Star Weekend. But Toronto’s Auston Matws couldn’t play in game because of a wrist injury, and Brady was chosen as his replacement. Tkachuk boarded next flight, trading topical wear for St. Louis’ temperatures in 30s and a mix of frozen precipitation. All-Star Weekend became a family reunion for Tkachuk brors, each of whom is making his first appearance. brors grew up in St. Louis, where ir far, Keith, played roughly half of his 18-year career.

“It’s just crazy how it worked out," Brady said. “I think Matw and I going into it just want to have as much fun as we can, and being here and begin able to go home and see a bunch of friends and family, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”  Tkachuks are first bror combination to play in same all-star game since Daniel and Henrik Sedin represented Vancouver in 2012. That game is on Enterprise Center ice takes on a special meaning for entire family.

“It’s kind of like that perfect story,” Matw said. “It was my childhood, basically this rink. … My dad letting us skip a few days of school when we were younger to go to rink and skate before a practice, to run around locker room and steal all gum, probably drive trainers crazy. “We’re still going to see same guys tomorrow and even just back re seeing some of security guys who I knew at such a young , it’s a great story and we’re really going to take advant of this weekend because even though I’m 22 and Brady just turned 20 a little while ago, we’re probably t going to have opportunity to have All-Star Game in St. Louis again.”

Stories of brors trying to beat each or, and sometimes beat on each or, when y were young were plentiful. re was time when Brady broke his finger in a wrestling match but kept going. But, favourite was a time when Matw hit Brady from behind and drove him head-first into a couch in Blues' wives room. Matw would like to forget about that one, but he said security guys who were re that night still tell story.

“It’s kind of a legendary story,” Matw said. “It was after a Blues win, he hit his forehead on couch and n my dad came out before we were leaving, he goes come with me.”  elder Tkachuk brought Brady back to Blues dressing room, where he was attended to by team trainers. “Matw’s just stronger than I was,” Brady said. “I’d say I never gave up so I’m pretty feisty just trying to stay in battles with him. We just pushed one ar and I’m grateful for that because I think you can kind of see that in feistiness with both of us w.”

Keith Tkachuk was a five-time All-Star and he joined his boys as y competed in Gatorade Shooting Stars competition on Friday night. Matw drew an ovation from 18,069 at Enterprise Center when he switched his Flames jersey for a Cardinals hockey jersey with Yadier Molina’s name and number on it. Molina is a Blues fan and was a regular in attendance during ir Stanley Cup run last season.

Matw’s teammate, Mark Giorda, kws what this weekend means to Tkachuks. "w that Brady's in game as well, it's pretty cool,” Giorda said. “I don't kw if it's ever happened before where two brors played in ir hometown for ir first All-Star Game. It's a pretty special moment for ir family and all of m, and I'm happy I get to experience it a little bit being on same team as Matw."

Tkachucks have a couple of family meals planned this weekend. fact that those meals will be served in ir childhood home is something to savor for entire family. “We’ve scored millions of goal in that rink growing up,” Matw said. “It’s going to be a very important few days for my family to reflect and to kw that both of ir sons are in All-Star Game is pretty cool.”