Tkachuk was visibly thrilled to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career, becoming the first in his family to achieve this milestone. His brother Brady has yet to have the opportunity with the Senators, and their father, despite a long and successful career, never captured the Cup.
In his interview, he acknowledged his time with the Calgary Flames and gave a nod to their fans after defeating their biggest rivals, the Oilers, in the finals.
He was also questioned about his feelings on winning the Stanley Cup, a customary inquiry in post-clinching game interviews. The 26-year-old appeared to grasp the magnitude of the moment only then. The realization hit him that he was no longer a kid dreaming about this exact scenario.
Regrettably for the Oilers, their stunning comeback bid faltered tonight with Connor McDavid unable to score. Panthers fans can breathe a sigh of relief for dodging a potential reverse sweep, but much of Canada, particularly Edmonton, is feeling the disappointment keenly. Stay tuned for more updates on the fallout from the Stanley Cup Finals.
