Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk to serve as first hockey guest picker on ESPN College GameDay in Miami

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has been announced as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN's College GameDay broadcast from the University of Miami campus ahead of the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes' football game against the Florida Gators. This marks the first time a hockey player has taken on this role, joining hosts such as Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, and Nick Saban to engage fans and share his college football insights. Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a well-known figure in South Florida sports, expressed excitement about participating in the show and promoting college football, a sport he has grown more fond of since moving to the area. Despite some criticism regarding his lack of direct affiliation with the University of Miami, his presence is seen as a crossover appeal between hockey and college football audiences. The show will air Saturday morning on ESPN prior to the highly anticipated in-state rivalry game at Hard Rock Stadium. Tkachuk's involvement also highlights his growing role in media, having previously appeared on national pregame shows like TNT's NBA coverage.