Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and his wife, Ellie Tkachuk (nee Connell), are expecting their first child together. Tkachuk shared the exciting personal news on the Thursday, March 12 episode of the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.
“We aren’t finding out [the sex],” he told Hannity. “We’re going old-school approach, which I wasn’t too fond of early, I will say, because it’s right there. All we have to do is look.”
While the Tkachuks have decided to keep their baby’s sex a surprise, Matt is hoping for a boy.
“I mean, at some point, would definitely have to have a boy. I’ve been explaining to [my wife], because she has just a sister, no brothers, … what youth hockey is like. And I think I’m more excited for youth hockey one day than my current hockey right now,” he told Hannity, adding, “Like, honest to God, like, I can’t wait for the road trips. I can’t wait for, like the family to come. I can’t wait for the parents to be in the hotel lobby bar at night, talking about the day and like, oh, just the little things.”
Tkachuk is ready to get his little one on the ice, too.
“The second he can get — at least stand up, I’m going to carry him around the ice,” he said.
Matthew and Ellie Tkachuk Got Married in July 2025
Weeks after winning the Stanley Cup in a back-to-back victory with the Panthers, Tkachuk married his longtime sweetheart in St. Louis. The two partied the night away with their closest family and friends, including several of Matt’s teammates. Based on photos and videos shared on social media, the reception seemed like a really fun time.
“Wow, Georgia Bridgwater, what an amazing night,” Matt wrote on his Instagram Stories, shouting out his wedding band, according to The Knot. “Thank you so much for giving Ellie and I the best night of our lives. We loved it, what an amazing performance, it made it the best night ever.”
The very next day was Matt’s turn with the Stanley Cup. They brought Lord Stanley around to “local police and fire departments, as well as the St. Louis Children’s Hospital,” per The Knot.
The Florida Panthers Are in Second-to-Last Place
Things in Matthew’s personal life seem to be going swimmingly, but the Florida Panthers are having a tough season. In early March 2026, they were 7th in the Atlantic Division with a 31-29-3 record. At the time of this writing, the Panthers are in second-to-last place, beating only the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Despite not sitting high atop the division alongside his team, Matt is coming off another incredible feat. He was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics and the team won Olympic gold, beating Canada 2-1 in the gold medal match, ending a 46-year drought. His brother, Brady, was also on the team.
“Hundreds of millions of people back here in the United States, we felt the support. Whether you like hockey or not, it united everybody, they cheered for one team,” Matt said after winning gold, according to Bro Bible.
“It was the most special team to ever be part of, and it meant the world for me to be on this team. It meant the world for me to represent this country. I don’t know if I will ever have an experience that will replicate the last few weeks and what this has meant,” he continued, adding, “I mean, our lives have changed forever, to be completely honest.”
Matthew Tkachuk Shares Personal Update as Panthers Fight for Last Place in Atlantic Division