SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers and the United States Air Force’s air demonstration squadron announced today that forward Matthew Tkachuk will serve as a civilian passenger in the backseat of a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon in support of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show on Friday, May 8, as part of the Air Force’s ‘Hometown Heroes’ program. He will fly with Lt. Col. Tyler "Wrath" Keener, Thunderbird 7 and an experienced fighter pilot, during a practice flight on May 8 ahead of the air show's public performances on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 at Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Since being acquired by the Florida Panthers ahead of the 2022-23 season, Tkachuk has helped lead the Cats to three straight Stanley Cup Finals, including back-to-back championships in each of the last two seasons. A finalist for the Hart Trophy given to the NHL’s most valuable player in 2022-23, Tkachuk has produced 288 points (101-187-288) over 242 regular season games with Florida and 69 points (25-44-69) over his last three postseasons. He led or tied for the team lead on the Panthers in points in each of their last three playoff runs and scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final vs. Edmonton in 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena.
On the international stage, Tkachuk has represented the United States at several tournaments including most recently where he served as alternate captain for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, taking home the U.S.’s first gold medal since 1980. He earned a bronze medal with the United States at the 2016 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship, tying for the team lead with 11 points (4-7-11) over seven tournament games, and captured a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, tying for the tournament lead with 10 assists (2-10-12) over seven games. He also earned gold at the 2014 U17 World Hockey Challenge, registering seven points (4-3-7) over six games.
About the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are an elite 135-member team representing 31 different career fields and performing at more than 30 locations each year in their signature red, white, and blue F-16s to showcase the precision, professionalism, and global readiness of the U.S. Air Force while inspiring the next generation.
