Team USA star Brady Tkachuk gives his two cents on 2026 Olympics ice hockey rink size drama

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk shared his thoughts on the rink dimensions for the 2026 Milan Olympics.

The main rink in Milan is expected to be slightly smaller than the NHL standard, a difference the IIHF has described as "insignificant."

Appearing on TSN, Tkachuk was asked whether the controversy is overblown or if the smaller ice would actually affect the players. He said that players themselves see it as a minor detail that's getting way too much attention.

"Honestly, I don't think guys really ever think about that. I definitely do think it's blown way out of proportion. I think, like kind of what we said on the podcast, I think any condition that they have for us, guys are chomping at the bit to go play," Brady said.

He added that players are desperate to compete in the Olympics and will accept almost any rink size to be there.

"It's been too long since we've had NHL guys at the Olympics. And to have that opportunity back, we don't want to waste it. And we just want to go over there, compete. And like we said in the podcast, the smaller ice surface might be more beneficial for Matthew and I, not as much skating up and down the sheet. So, when we saw the news, I think we're one of few to be very happy about that."

Brady Tkachuk is on Team USA's roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. He was one of the first six players officially named to the preliminary roster in June this year. The full 25-man roster is expected to be announced later this month.

Brady Tkachuk's brother shared his thoughts about the unfinished Olympic rink

Brady Tkachuk's brother Matthew shared his thoughts on the ongoing rink drama during a recent episode of the brothers' Wingmen podcast. He said that they would go even if the circumstances were not ideal.