Overview

• EA Sports announced his selection Monday in a social media post and slated a full NHL 26 reveal for August 6.
• He becomes the first Florida Panthers player to headline an EA Sports NHL cover since John Vanbiesbrouck on NHL 97 in 1997.
• Tkachuk marked the announcement with a tweet thanking those who believed in him and linking to the upcoming trailer.
• The two-time Stanley Cup champion played through a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia in the 2025 playoffs, injuries that required corrective surgery.
• He is currently rehabbing from surgery and is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season, likely returning around the Christmas break.