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The Tkachuk family just can’t stay out of hockey’s news cycle.
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A day after son Brady created a firestorm by essentially forcing the Ottawa Senators to trade him to the Florida Panthers where he joins brother Matthew, their father Keith — a two-time 50-goal scorer in the NHL — jumped from the crowded Hall of Fame waiting list to induction.
Tkachuk was part of the 2026 class announced Monday afternoon. He joined first-year eligible Patrice Bergeron, second-year goalie Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, fellow netminder Pekka Rinne of Nashville and the lone female player, American pioneer Cindy Curley.
Brian Burke, a former NHL executive, who also managed several NHL teams and served the game in many facets, was the singular choice in the builder’s wing.
Keith Tkachuk has been featured on television countless times in the stands, watching one or both of his kids scoring and scrapping with their clubs or Team USA. The weekend blockbuster between the Sens and Panthers for three first-round picks resulted from Brady’s refusal to re-sign in Ottawa.
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There are often multiple first-year favorites to go in the Hall — Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton last year — but Monday was a solo stage for Boston Bruins centre Bergeron.
His tally of six Frank Selke Trophys as the NHL’s best defensive forward made him an easy choice, the bedrock of success for the Bruins (one Stanley Cup) and Team Canada (Olympic gold and World Cup).
“There was no flash and dash to his game, but everything he did was with excellence,” said TSN commentator Craig Button as the ‘26 class was announced by selection committee chair Ron Francis.
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As Francis noted with Price’s election, few Hart Trophy winners don’t get enshrined and Price was added after he just missing in a crowded 2025 field.
Like Rinne, he didn’t win a Stanley Cup, but put together several strong seasons and both were big on the international stage, Price winning Olympic and World Cup titles.
Curley, captain of Team USA at the inaugural women’s IIHF world championship in 1990, was a 5-foot-5 forward with Providence College who was named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
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