EDMONTON, Alberta - At long last, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday with a rematch of last year's championship round: The Florida Panthers vs. the Edmonton Oilers.

For St. Louis, there's a personal twist: Two homegrown talents - who once played roller hockey in the same basement and grew up in the same local hockey system - now go head-to-head on hockey's biggest stage.

Let's reintroduce them: Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Trent Frederic of the Edmonton Oilers.

In recent years, the childhood friends have emerged as fierce competitors, now with a title and plenty of pride on the line.

Matthew Tkachuk, a gritty, skilled winger and son of Blues great Keith Tkachuk, helped lead Florida to its first Stanley Cup title last season. He's evolved into one of the league's

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