24-Year-Old Power Forward Agrees to Eight-Year Contract Following 104-Point Season with Calgary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, July 22, 2022
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has acquired forward Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round draft selection from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar,Panthers prospect Cole Schwindt and Florida’s lottery-protected first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Additionally, Tkachuk agreed to terms on an eight-year contract through the 2029-30 season.
“Matthew is a tenacious, physical competitor who possesses a tremendously unique skillset,” said Zito. “He is a consistent elite offensive contributor and has emerged as one of the most complete and dynamic young players in the National Hockey League. We are thrilled to be able to add a generational talent to our lineup.”
“On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, we would like to thank Jonathan and MacKenzie for their immense contributions to the Florida Panthers, both on and off the ice, during their tenures in South Florida,” said Zito. “They have both blossomed into exceptional athletes and people. Their contributions as players and people made an indelible mark on our franchise and we wish them both continued success in their future.”
Tkachuk, 24, skated in 82 regular season games with Calgary in 2021-22, amassing a career-high 104 points (42-62-104), the eighth-most among NHL skaters. He led the Flames with 12 power-play goals and 29 power-play points, while his 42 tallies tied for the club lead and tied for ninth-most in the League. His 62 assists, 104 points, 75 even-strength points and 26 multi-point performances each ranked second on Calgary, while his 17 multi-assist outings in 2021-22 were tied for the fifth-most by a Flames player in one season in club history. Following the regular season, Tkachuk was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team.
Over 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Calgary in 2021-22, he produced 10 points (4-6-10), including his first career playoff hat trick in Game 1 of Round 2 at Edmonton on May 18, becoming the sixth-ever Flames skater to score a postseason hat trick. Tkachuk has skated in 27 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, logging 15 points (7-8-15).
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of Scottsdale, Ariz., has appeared in 431 career NHL games over six seasons (2016-17 to 2021-22), all with Calgary, recording 382 points (152-230-382) and a plus-85 rating. He has surpassed the 30-goal mark twice in his career, potting 42 in 2021-22 and 34 in 2018-19, and has scored at least 20 goals four times. The 2019-20 NHL All-Star has posted 91 career multi-point games and holds the Flames record for the latest overtime goal in regular season franchise history, scoring at 4:58 on Oct. 31, 2019 at Nashville.
During his rookie campaign in 2016-17, Tkachuk ranked fourth among rookies in even-strength points (35), while his 35 assists were the ninth-most by a Flames rookie in franchise history. At 21 years of age and in his third NHL season, he became the youngest Flames player in franchise history to reach the 100-point mark.
On the international stage, Tkachuk earned a Bronze Medal with the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, tying for the team lead with 11 points (4-7-11) over seven tournament games. He helped the U.S. capture a Gold Medal at the 2015 IIHF U18 WJC, tying for the tournament lead with 10 assists (2-10-12) over seven games. He also earned gold with the U.S. at the 2014 U17 World Hockey Challenge, registering seven points (4-3-7) over six games.
Prior to his professional career, Tkachuk skated in 57 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) games with the London Knights in 2015-16, posting 107 points (30-77-107) and a plus-45 rating. He helped London capture the OHL championship, leading the league with 20 goals (20-20-40) over 18 postseason games. In the Memorial Cup Final, Tkachuk scored two goals including the overtime winner, helping London capture their second CHL championship.
Tkachuk skated in two USHL seasons (2013-14 to 2014-15) with the United States National Team Development Program prior to joining London, producing 50 points (18-32-50) over 57 games.
Originally selected by Calgary in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Tkachuk comes from a decorated NHL family. His father, Keith, won the Maurice Richard Trophy in 1996-97 and skated in 1,201 NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers, while his brother, Brady, is currently the captain of the Ottawa Senators.
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