TKACHUK LEAVES OTTAWA WITH A GOOD IMPRESSION
Later this summer, Brady Tkachuk still faces a major decision to make on whether to sign a professional hockey contract or return to Boston University for another season.
For now, though, Tkachuk is headed to Toronto, where he will live with his brother, Calgary Flames star Matthew Tkachuk. They will train together at a wellrespected gym run by former Ottawa 67s and NHL star Gary Roberts.
“Definitely, I want to get as strong as I can and hit the gym tomorrow,” Tkachuk said Monday, moments after leading Team Black to victory in the 3-on-3 tournament at the Bell Sensplex to close out Ottawa Senators summer development camp.
“There’s a lot of room for me to get stronger and faster. It’s nice to have (Matthew) around and he knows everything about Gary and I can learn from him and his nutrition side. That really starts coming tomorrow. (The gym) is run by a bunch of great people. Definitely the food aspect is good, too.”
Tkachuk has barely had time to breathe since being selected fourth overall by the Senators in the NHL draft June 22 in Dallas.
He has spent the past week at development camp, earning raves for his work ethic and skill. Tkachuk and Parker Kelly were named co-winners of the Jonathan Pitre Award as the hardestworking players in the camp on Monday.
Indeed, Tkachuk was pushing and shoving and jabbing and jawing right to the end.
“We had a fun (3-on-3) team, probably the loudest team,” he said of a group that also included Filip Chlapik, Miles Gendron, Boston Leier, Brady Lyle and Chase Stewart. “We weren’t afraid to chirp the other teams and let them know. It was a lot of fun and good experience.”
Along the way, Tkachuk received a small taste of what made Ottawa tick.
He was impressed by the passion of the fans at Monday’s tournament and at last Friday’s intrasquad game at the Richcraft Sensplex. He also threw out a ceremonial first pitch at an Ottawa Champions game on Canada Day — “I was practising for a couple of days before, but it was a little above the strike zone” — while also taking in the redand-white patriotism on display.
Before the NHL draft, it was believed that Tkachuk was leaning toward returning to Boston for a second U.S. college hockey season.
Given that the Senators are clearly intent on rebuilding around young prospects, though, the Senators could push Tkachuk to kick-start his pro career sooner rather than later. If he signs an entry-level deal, he will be in an intriguing place, in position to play in either Ottawa, Belleville of the American Hockey League or London of the Ontario Hockey League.
“(The Senators) have told me what they want to do, but at the end of the day that’s for both parties to see what’s best long-term,” he said.
“It’s my decision, but I have a great support group with my Dad, Mom, brother and sister. It’s a family decision because they all know what’s best for me.”
Tkachuk insisted he wouldn’t be rushed into making a decision.
“I’m going to take my time and soak it all in,” he said. “There’s no real timetable.”
For what it’s worth, he left Ottawa full of positives.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I had such a great time, I got to meet new guys. Overall, it was a fantastic week.”