New York: NHL stars Matthew Tkachuk (of the Florida Panthers) and his younger brother Brady Tkachuk (captain of the Ottawa Senators) are stepping off the ice and into the mic. They’ve announced a brand-new weekly podcast called Wingmen, produced in partnership with Wave Sports & Entertainment — the same team that backs the wildly popular New Heights podcast featuring NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce.
Release schedule & format
Episodes drop every Wednesday throughout the NHL season. According to the brothers, the first handful of episodes will simply feature the two of them chatting — about hockey, sports in general, life off the rink — and later, guests may join in. Brady described the concept as: “two brothers, one mic, absolutely no filter.”
Why now?
Part of what makes this interesting is timing. Both siblings are sidelined with injuries this season: Brady is recovering from thumb surgery, while Matthew hasn’t yet played due to a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. With fewer games to play, clearly they’re leveraging the downtime into a new platform.
Why it matters in the podcast world
- Active-player perspective: It’s rare for active professional athletes—particularly in the NHL—to host their own regular podcast series. According to reports, the Tkachuk brothers become the first active NHL players to have a podcast of this kind.
- Sports-media crossover: Sports podcasts are booming, but most of the big shows are dominated by retired players or purely media-folk. Two brothers still in the sport stepping into podcasting brings fresh credibility and potential reach.
- Brother-dynamic appeal: Audiences often love sibling chemistry, banter, and behind-the-scenes stories. The Tkachuks promise exactly that: off-ice conversations, friendly (or fierce) competition, and life beyond the rink.
- Brand extension: For Matthew and Brady, this is smart branding. They’re expanding beyond “just hockey player” to media personalities, giving fans a new avenue to connect.
What to expect from the episodes
- Hockey talk & insider stories: With clear access and shared experiences, we can expect discussions about their teams, the NHL culture, injuries, recovery, locker-room life, and maybe even glimpses of what it’s like to be a high-profile player.
- Life off the ice: They’ve hinted at talking “other life things” — growing up together, sibling rivalry, sports beyond hockey, maybe even personal interests.
- Fun, unscripted tone: The “no filter” tag signals a more relaxed, candid style — possibly more raw talk, fewer walls, and more personality.
- Guest appearances (eventually): While early episodes will likely just feature the two, there’s mention of inviting guests down the road—teammates, other athletes, media personalities.
Why it’s a win for podcast fans & hockey fans alike
- For podcast listeners: It’s another high-potential show with personality, inside access, and sports culture — following the model that has worked in other sports (e.g., New Heights).
- For hockey fans: A chance to hear from two of the game’s engaging players in a long-form, conversational format — outside of interviews or highlight reels.
- For general sports-media audience: As sports content evolves, athlete-led podcasts are part of that trend — fans want authenticity, beyond scripted media appearances.
Questions we’ll be watching
- Will the “no filter” format remain intact, or will network/brand constraints water it down?
- How often will they bring on high-profile guests, and from which areas (NHL, other sports, pop culture)?
- Will they explore off-beat topics — mental health, life after sport, business ventures — or stay strictly sports-focused?
- How will fan engagement be built — social media tie-ins, behind-the-scenes, audience Q&A, or cross-platform content?
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If you’re into hockey, sports culture, or simply strong podcast hosts with chemistry, Wingmen looks like it’s hitting the sweet spot: two capable hosts, a compelling format, regular schedule, and a path to deeper storytelling. For the user community of podcasts and sports media, this is one to watch.
