Tkachuk enjoying stay in Alberta

RED DEER Matthew Tkachuk has enjoyed his time in Alberta.

He might even make it his permanent home.

The London Knights winger is ranked second among North American skaters for the upcoming NHL Draft.

Which means, once Auston Matthews and the two Finns come off the board, Tkachuk is in the Edmonton Oilers’ crosshairs with the fourth pick.

The Flames, who hold the sixth pick, might need some luck for Tkachuk to be available when they head to the podium.

But if the big power forward ended going an hour north or south of Red Deer, he’d be fine with it.

“At this stage of the season, everyone is watching,” Tkachuk said. “Everyone who is (picking) in the range where you’re projected to go is here watching and analyzing your every move.

“But, yeah, I could definitely see myself living here.

“Red Deer has been a great host to us and the whole province has been great.”

Fans of the Oilers or Flames would undoubtedly be thrilled to get the Scottsdale, Ariz., product in their team’s jersey.

But for now, he’s focused

I could definitely see myself living here. Red Deer has been a great host to us and the whole province has been great.

on his final junior game remaining — the Memorial Cup final Sunday.

Tkachuk has been playing on the most potent line in junior hockey with Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak. The 6-foot1, 195-pounder put up 107 points and 80 penalty minutes in the regular season.

“I guess it’s a gift that I can get under their skin. Even if I don’t do anything, people seem to come after me.”

Sounds like a chip off the old block. His dad, Keith, played 1,201 games during his 18-year career in which he piled up 1,065 points and 2,219 penalty minutes.

So does he have of the old man in him?

“He definitely does,” Knights GM/head coach Dale Hunter said. “(Matthew) isn’t just scoring on the rush. His dad scored from behind the net, coming out front, playing hard in front. He’s got a lot of that in him. …”

Matthew can see the resemblance — from the limited VHS footage he’s seen.

“We’re both big bodies, and we like to use our size,” the younger Tkachuk said. “He was more of an in-yourface, down-your-throat type of player. I like to mix in a little finesse. I like to make plays. He was a pure goal-scorer and I like to mix in a bit of both.”