Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers explains his motivation for winning the Stanley Cup: 'I couldn't let Edmonton win'

Matthew Tkachuk‘s exit from Calgary may have caused some hard feelings, but he had Flames fans in mind after he played the biggest game of his life.

“Shout out to my fans in Calgary, you know I couldn’t let Edmonton win,” Tkachuk told Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas on the ice after his Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Sunrise, Fla.

Two years after telling the Flames he would not sign a long-term deal with the club that picked him sixth overall in 2016, setting the wheels in motion for a blockbuster, August trade to Florida, Tkachuk lifted hockey’s most cherished prize as a Panther.

That might have not been an ideal sight for many Flames fans, but seeing the provincial rival Oilers do it could have stung even more.

The six-foot-two Tkachuk finished with six goals and 16 assists in 24 playoff games, tying for the team lead in post-season scoring.

While his Panthers won the Cup after finishing runner-up last year, Tkachuk’s former team is now in a rebuild — but he was classy to Calgary after his triumph.

Along with his kind words to Calgary, Tkachuk took time to focus on his family.

Father Keith, a former NHLer, and his brother Brady, captain of the Ottawa Senators, were among those in the stands watching Game 7.

When asked for his thoughts while lifting the Cup, Tkachuk said: “I was thinking of my family. They’re the biggest reason why I’m able to do what I do.”

Brady was visibly emotional while seeing his brother complete the triumph.

Last year, Brady had to help Matthew get out of bed during a playoff run when he suffered a fractured sternum.

“He’ll have to get me out of bed tomorrow. I won’t be in no shape to be moving too well,” Matthew said with a smile.

“They’re going to be here celebrating with me. I know my brother’s going to do it very soon. He’s an unbelievable player built for playoffs and I can’t wait to see him play in a playoffs and Stanley Cup Final soon. He’s too good.”

Matthew Tkachuk, a forward for the Florida Panthers, recently opened up about his motivation for winning the Stanley Cup this season. In a candid interview, Tkachuk revealed that one of his biggest driving forces behind his desire to hoist the coveted trophy was his determination to prevent the Edmonton Oilers from winning.

Tkachuk’s rivalry with the Oilers runs deep, as he has faced off against them numerous times throughout his career. The intense competition and heated matchups between the two teams have fueled Tkachuk’s desire to come out on top and prove that he and his team are superior.

“I couldn’t let Edmonton win,” Tkachuk stated. “The thought of seeing them celebrate with the Stanley Cup was unbearable to me. I knew that I had to do everything in my power to ensure that it was our team lifting that trophy at the end of the season.”

Tkachuk’s competitive spirit and drive to succeed have been evident throughout his career, and his determination to outshine his rivals only adds fuel to the fire. With the Panthers currently in contention for the Stanley Cup, Tkachuk’s motivation and passion for the game are sure to propel him and his team towards their ultimate goal.

As Tkachuk and the Panthers continue their quest for hockey’s ultimate prize, fans can expect to see a player who is willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top. Whether it’s scoring goals, making big plays, or standing up for his teammates, Tkachuk’s commitment to winning is unwavering.

In the end, Tkachuk’s drive to succeed and his refusal to let his rivals triumph may just be the key to bringing the Stanley Cup home to Florida. And with each game that passes, Tkachuk’s determination only grows stronger, making him a force to be reckoned with on the ice.