NHL star Matthew Tkachuk has not yet made a decision about joining President Donald Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, despite his recent invitation. The announcement came alongside notable figures such as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. This development coincides with Trump’s renewed focus on athletics, highlighted by his executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools nationwide.
Details on Tkachuk’s Response to the Council Invitation
Tkachuk spoke with The New York Times, explaining that it was still too soon for him to decide on committing to the council, while also acknowledging that joining could increase his and the league’s visibility. He expressed a flexible attitude about players’ involvement in media and public roles.
I’m not going to tell a player that’s not comfortable doing [more media],
Matthew said.
If they just treat it as a job, like a clock-in and clock-out, and just want to worry about that, hey, all to you. If that helps you play. Some guys are like that. Every team has guys like that,
Tkachuk added.
I think that if more guys could do [more], I think the better.
—Matthew Tkachuk, NHL Player
He also conveyed that players have varied comfort levels with media and public attention, and that involvement should be approached in a way that benefits their performance and the game.
Recent Highlights and Challenges in Tkachuk’s Season
As a leading forward for the Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Tkachuk has had a season marked by both achievement and adversity. He endured a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia during the 4 Nations Face-Off, which caused him to miss much of the regular season. Nonetheless, he returned for the playoffs and played a key role in securing the Stanley Cup.
Over 52 games in the 2024-25 season, Tkachuk scored 22 goals and contributed 35 assists for a total of 57 points. His postseason performance included 23 points, reinforcing his importance to the team’s success.
Linking Personal Exposure to the Growth of Hockey
For Tkachuk, increased public visibility for individual players also translates to greater exposure for the sport as a whole. He emphasized the importance of using such opportunities to expand hockey’s reach and leave the game better than how athletes found it.
I think any exposure you get that can grow the game is very important to us,
he said.
We want to be guys that leave the game in a way better place than it was when we started. Just the way the world’s kind of trending, the opportunities for players are pretty seamless and easy for Brady and I. Whereas maybe other guys, they’re not as comfortable as we are in it.
—Matthew Tkachuk, NHL Player
Tkachuk stressed that hockey remains more than a career to him and his teammates; it is a passion and lifestyle that transcends the notion of a typical job.
We enjoy it. We think it’s important to do. Hockey is not a job to us. It’s never felt like a job for us. It’s fun, it’s life, it’s what we’ve grown up in,
he affirmed. —Matthew Tkachuk, NHL Player
President Trump’s Renewed Focus on Youth Fitness
The Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, revived under President Trump’s administration, aims to combat chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition among children across the United States. The initiative follows Trump’s executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in schools nationwide, signifying a renewed governmental push toward promoting physical activity and well-being among youth.
Implications for Tkachuk and the NHL Community
Matthew Tkachuk’s eventual decision on whether to join the President’s council could influence how NHL players engage with broader public health initiatives and media exposure. Alongside other athletes like Saquon Barkley and Tua Tagovailoa, who have expressed hesitation towards participation, Tkachuk’s stance illustrates the varied perspectives among sports professionals on involvement in government-sponsored programs. His choice may shape opportunities for athletes to contribute to national conversations about fitness while balancing their careers and public roles.