Matthew Tkachuk, a prominent player for the Florida Panthers, has been announced as the cover athlete for NHL 26, the latest edition of EA Sports' popular hockey video game series. Tkachuk's appearance marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first player from the Panthers to feature on the primary cover since goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck in NHL 97.

This announcement follows the Panthers’ successful defense of their Stanley Cup title, a remarkable achievement now memorialized in the new video game. Tkachuk, despite facing challenges due to a lower-body injury throughout the latter part of the regular season, managed to contribute 22 goals and 35 assists over 52 games, ranking third on the team in both categories. Head coach Paul Maurice remarked on Tkachuk's resilience, indicating that his status prior to the playoffs was uncertain due to the injury. 'Matthew's played with some injuries,' Maurice noted, expressing skepticism about Tkachuk's ability to endure the first round of the playoffs.

Remarkably, Tkachuk participated in all 23 playoff games for the Panthers, even after sustaining a complete tear of his adductor muscle. He delivered a commendable performance in the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, registering three goals and three assists in the last three games. In addition to his accomplishments with the Panthers, Tkachuk also served as an alternate captain for the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the team advanced from the round-robin stage, ultimately losing to Canada in a closely contested overtime match. Should Tkachuk opt for surgery to address his injury fully, he may find himself sidelined at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, a sacrifice he appears willing to make in pursuit of a second Stanley Cup championship.